Use of a self-expandable, bioresorbable, mometasone fuorate-releasing stent (PROPEL® Mini) in unilateral choanal atresia

Transnasal endoscopic resection of the bucconasal membrane and adjacent parts of the vomer is a common procedure for surgical therapy of choanal atresia. Transnasal columella-anchored stents are frequently used to prevent shrinking during wound healing, although the choice of postoperative management with or without stents is still controversial. Often, conventional transnasal stents are not well tolerated by either the patient or the parents. By introduction of resorbable, steriod-releasing stents in the field of endonasal sinus surgery, this technique is a potential alternative for conventional stents in the surgical therapy of choanal atresia. In a 12 year-old patient suffering from one-sided choanal atresia, we performed a transnasal endoscopic opening of the atresia and inserted a self-expandable, bioresorbable, mometasone fuorate-releasing stent (PROPEL® Mini, Intersect ENT Inc., USA) anchored by a transseptal suture. The healing process was monitored and recorded for 3 months on picture and video. The stent was tolerated by the patient without reservations and stayed in place for 3 weeks without any problems. It was removed with beginning resorption. During a follow-up period of 3 months, there was no notable shrinking of the opened choane. The use of intranasal, resorbable, mometasone fuorate-releasing stents seems to be a patient-friendly and effective alternative to conventional transnasal stents in the surgical therapy of choanal atresia.

Poster-PDF A-1992.PDF

Publication History

Article published online:
10 June 2020