Treatment of nasopharyngeal stenosis by prosthetic hollow stents : Clinical experience in eight patients

Abstract Objective: A series of nasopharyngeal appliance designs is presented that represents our evolving experience over a 20-year period in the adjunctive use of prosthetic stents in the surgical correction of nasopharyngeal stenosis. Design: Retrospective assessment of effectiveness of two nasopharyngeal stenosis hollow stent designs in a consecutive series of patients for relief of nasal obstructive symptoms. Setting: Tertiary academic medical center, Craniofacial Program at Children's Hospital. Patients: Four patients with nasopharyngeal stenosis were treated with a preoperatively fabricated stent made from a clasped palatal appliance onto which hollow acrylic conduits were extended through surgically re-created pharyngeal ports. A subsequent set of four patients with nasopharyngeal stenosis were treated with intraoperatively-fashioned silastic grommets, as opposed to palatal appliances. Interventions: Postoperative intraoral stenting of nasopharyngeal ports. Main Outcome Measures: Maintenance of ph...