[Olfactory acuity and improvement of olfaction after total laryngectomy].
OBJECTIVE
To test and evaluate the olfactory function of patient after total laryngectomy, seek to a practical method to ameliorate olfactory function and rise the qualitative character of these patients.


METHODS
Using the T&T olfactory examination to evaluate the olfactory function of 60 cases. Four cases olfactory mucosae were observed by electron microscope. Observing relation among the remains olfaction, the time after operation and whether or not undergone the voice reconstruction. And analyse the reasons of the above hyposomnia. Using the closing-mouth and nasal out-word airflow maneuver (CNOAM) as the intervention in the patients of tracheoesophageal fistula voice reconstruction after total laryngectomy to observe the amelioration after intervention.


RESULTS
It shows various degree of hyposmia and anosmia in the cases after total laryngectomy with or without tracheoesophageal fistula voice reconstruction, with significant deference (P < 0.01) compared to the normal person respectively. There are precisely correlation among the time after operation and whether or not undergone the voice reconstruction. The longer time leads to less remaining olfaction. The patients after total laryngectomy without tracheoesophageal fistula voice reconstruction have lost their olfaction thoroughly within 5 years. But for the patients after total laryngectomy with tracheoesophageal fistula voice reconstruction, they have a middle hyposmia within 5 years, with significant deference (P < 0.01) between the patients in 5 years and after 5 years. There were significant differences (P < 0.01) between the values of patients with and without tracheoesophageal fistula voice reconstruction. The ultrastructure of 4 cases of olfactory epithelium shows the apoptosis change. After the treatment of CNOAM, the remaining olfaction of most patients were improved, with significant deference (P < 0.01) compared to those before the treatment of CNOAM.


CONCLUSIONS
The proceed hypofunction of olfaction may be influenced by the reform of respiratory air, the extinction of air velocity bypass the nasal cavity and the apoptosis of epithelial cells in the patients after total laryngectomy. But if we give an early intervention study such as tracheoesophageal fistula voice reconstruction and CNOAM, the olfactory function may be maintenance. During the intervention, the ending of olfactory nerves may be get uninterrupt stimulation. This may help the patients keep a better existing quality than those fail to accept the interventions.
Jin
Guo-wei
GW
Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Tianjin Fourth Central Hospital, Tianjin 300140, China. jinguow@sina.com
Wei
Xu-dong
XD
Chen
Jie
J
Xu
Kai-xu
KX
Zhang
Jian-xin
JX
Li
Shao-cheng
SC
Shi
Ji-hong
JH
Yang
Cai-hong
CH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009832:Olfactory Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012903:Smell