Contact-diode laser repair of bony choanal atresia: A preliminary report

Summary Objectives To demonstrate the use of the contact-diode laser (CDL) at 810 nm wavelength for the transnasal endoscopic repair of bilateral bony choanal (BBCA) in low-weight newborns. Methods Prospective study at a tertiary-care pediatric institution of four neonates with BBCA aged 3–5 days, weighing on average 2.34 kg. BBCA was opened by transnasal delivery of CDL through a 600 μm diameter glass fiber. Children were stented post-operatively, and revision surgery performed when needed. Results All children were successfully treated for BBCA with CDL. Two children needed only one surgery, one child needed two surgeries, and one patient required three procedures, in order to establish patient choanae at last follow-up ranging from 16 to 30 months. Conclusion We found the fiber-delivered contact-diode laser to permit correction of BBCA in four low-birth weight neonates. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to demonstrate the successful use of CDL for the management of BBCA.