Innovative Surgical Success at Rainbow Children’s Hospital: A Case of Congenital Bilateral Choanal Atresia Repair

Hyderabad, 26th July 2024: One rare case of a congenital defect involved a full-term newborn who immediately showed signs of respiratory distress after delivery and required emergency care at Rainbow Children’s Hospital. Initial efforts to remove secretions with a nasogastric tube were unsuccessful, leading Dr. Rajath Athreya, Lead Neonatologist & Senior Consultant – Paediatrics and his teammate Dr. Neha Jain Rajkumar to place the infant on ventilator support. Further assessment revealed the newborn had bilateral choanal atresia, a rare condition characterized by nasal passage blockages due to insufficient recanalization during fetal development. A CT scan confirmed the diagnosis, identifying the blockage as both membranous and bony.

The neonate was placed under general anesthesia by an anesthetist team led by Dr. Hariprasad and Dr. Vineela and underwent a minimally invasive transnasal endoscopic repair on the third day of life. To maintain airflow while allowing the surgical site to heal, two 3.5mm endotracheal tubes were trimmed to the proper lengths and used as nasal stents during this innovative procedure. Remarkably, the infant was weaned off ventilator support the day after the successful surgery, demonstrating the effectiveness of the technique. The endoscopic approach not only reduced trauma but also expedited the healing process..

“Providing the best care possible to our youngest children is our top priority at Rainbow Children’s Hospital. Thanks to the expertise and innovative thinking of our team, we are able to effectively treat even the most complex congenital illnesses, giving families hope for their children’s futures. We believe that every child deserves kind, specialized care that is tailored to meet their unique needs. Our interdisciplinary team collaborates closely and uses the newest advancements in surgical techniques and medical technology to deliver exceptional results. To maximize the positive parts of each interaction, we want to establish a warm and inviting environment for patients and their families” said Dr. Shilpa H, Consultant, Paediatric ENT and Airway Surgeon, MBBS, MS(Otorhinolaryngology), Fellowship Diploma Anterior Skull Base Surgery, Airway Surgery, Allergy, and immunotherapy, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Sarjapur Road, Bangalore.

The child’s respiratory function significantly improved as a result of the surgery, highlighting Rainbow Children’s Hospital’s progress in paediatric surgical care. Dr. Shilpa stressed the vital significance of early diagnosis and the use of cutting-edge surgical methods in the treatment of congenital disorders. This example demonstrates the hospital’s dedication to offering specialized medical treatment, successfully treating complicated congenital abnormalities, and improving patient outcomes by utilizing state-of-the-art medical procedures.