Innovative use of French tubes in pediatric choanal atresia surgery – affordable solutions for resource-limited areas: a retrospective descriptive study

Background: Choanal atresia (CA) is a congenital nasal obstruction that poses significant challenges in neonates. While stents are commonly used post-repair to ensure airway patency, their use is controversial due to complications, such as infection and scarring, particularly in resource-limited settings where commercial stents are often too expensive. This study introduces French tubes as a cost-effective alternative for pediatric CA repair. Results: In this retrospective study involving nine pediatric patients (six females, three males), the mean age at surgery was 66.4 days. The cohort included patients with cardiac anomalies (33.3%) and tracheomalacia (22.2%). French tubes were utilized for stenting, averaging 17.4 days in duration. Notably, 55.5% of patients required revision surgery due to restenosis, yet no postoperative infections or granulation tissue were reported. Methods: Patients were selected based on comprehensive evaluations including medical history. Furthermore, CT scans confirmed diagnoses and assessed the atretic plate’s extent. Conclusion: The use of French tubes in CA surgery presents a promising, cost-effective option in resource-limited settings, demonstrating low complication rates and favorable outcomes. Future research should focus on optimizing stent duration and strategies to reduce restenosis rates, enhancing long-term patient outcomes.