Obstrucción nasal congénita por atresia de coanas. Serie de casos

Abstract

Nasal obstruction in neonates is a potential fatal condition because of their exclusive nasal breathing. The most common congenital causes include choanal atresia, dermoid cyst, glioma and encephalocele. Choanal atresia is the most common congenital nasal anomaly. When bilateral, it presents with respiratory distress at birth. Unilateral atresia is manifested by respiratory failure and unilateral rhinorrhea, and may go along unnoticed. Diagnosis is suspected in the absence of airflow in the nasal cavity and for the inability to advance a nasogastric tube. Diagnosis is confirmed by endoscopic examination and computed tomography. The definitive treatment is surgical, and there are different techniques and surgical approaches. We describe our experience with 7 patients with this disease, successfully treated by transnasal endoscopic technique.