R121: A New Stent for Use in Patients with Choanal Atresia

Choanal atresia is a congenital condition with obliteration of the posterior nasal apertures. A number of techniques have been described to cannulate the posterior nares. The use of stents remains controversial1. Traditionally endotracheal tubes have been fashioned for this purpose. Stents cause a foreign body reaction and infection resulting in granulation tissue formation and restenosis. However they are important in maintaining the patency of the nares postoperatively and may reduce the number of recannulation procedures required2. A new stent for use in children with choanal atresia is described. It is undergoing evaluation in a number of tertiary centres.