Choanal Atresia

This post is a departure from our regular topic of adaptive equipment for dining. I wanted to provide information about an aid that was fabricated for our grandaughter. She was born with Choanal Atresia which resulted in an epiglottis that was closing her airway. She needed emergency surgery to insert a trach tube for breathing.

Maintaining a breathing apparatus requires close attention. Another issue was that since no air reaches the vocal cords a baby with choanal atresia on a trach tube is unable to make sounds. Her parents could not hear her cry … or laugh.

I’m going to fast forward now to the amazingly great news. Zoe is now a beautiful, intelligent, caring, self assured, sophomore at Ohio University …. and her voice works quite well!!!

Zoe required the trach tube due to choanal atresia until she was sixteen months old. At that time the doctors at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh performed a successful corrective surgery. So that the surgery would work Zoe was required to be on medically induced sedation for a week. That to say the least was scary. During hospital visits at that time … watching a sixteen month old baby in a medically induced coma I learned something. I learned that a sixteen month old in a coma can project strength and resilience. I could could feel this strength that she has and that I wish myself and more people could possess.

The surgery was successful … and to this day we all thank the doctors, the nurses and everyone at Children’s Hospital. I am not sure but It is my contention that her first word after the surgery was Elmo!

While Zoe required the trach tube she received therapy. One of the goals was to facilitate head and neck extension that normally develops in a child when they are in a prone position. Since this position would push on the tubing a child with choanal atresia on a trach tube can not easily be positioned this way.

To facilitate safe prone positioning a foam positioning aid was fabricated. After measurements were taken two pieces of foam were cut out with an electric carving knife. One piece of foam supported the trunk to allow support of the trunk. Another separate piece of foam was cut out that supported the head.

This enabled prone positioning without pressure on the tubing. Of course during prone positioning a therapist or parent would also be present to prevent any problems. The foam was covered with printed fleece covering. The bottom consisted of thin board that the covering was stapled to and a dycem non skid bottom was included.

Thankfully Zoe didn’t need this support very long as she quickly developed head and neck extension strength. I wanted to post this in case someone else could benefit from this adaptation for choanal atresia. I also want to say that the endless supply of love and support that Tim and Andi, Zoe’s parents have for her is inspirational.