Bilateral Congenital Choanal Atresia and Absence of Respiratory Distress

Abstract

Bilateral congenital choanal atresia is considered a lethal congenital malformation in an obligatory nasal breathing neonate. Described herein are two cases of bilateral choanal atresia associated with craniofacial anomalies who did not present respiratory distress in the neonatal period. Our first patient had a complete unilateral cleft lip which facilitated oropharyngeal respiration. The second patient presented with mandibulofacial dysostosis. It was postulated that the characteristic posture and shape of the mandible precluded the expected respiratory distress in the neonatal period by providing an oropharyngeal airway.