Incidence of sinunasal disease in laryngectomized patients.
OBJECTIVE
Patients having a total laryngectomy for cancer of the larynx or the hypopharynx are faced with tremendous physical and emotional challenges. Nasal airflow, which transports potentially pathogenic substances into the nose, is almost completely interrupted after laryngectomy. Postlaryngectomy patients are estimated to suffer less frequently from sinunasal diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the incidence of sinunasal disorders in patients before and after laryngectomy retrospectively.


METHODS
A questionnaire was designed comprising items addressing specific symptoms of sinunasal disease.


RESULTS
The questionnaire was answered by 104 laryngectomized patients. Common colds occurred less frequently (p < 0.0001) as well as acute and chronic sinusitis (p = 0.0168) after laryngectomy. In comparison, the incidence of rhinorrhea increased significantly (p < 0.0001). Medical interventions for sinunasal disorders were rarely necessary and surgical interventions remained reserved for exceptional cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Sinunasal diseases seem to affect laryngectomized individuals less frequently than before laryngectomy.
Sesterhenn
Andreas M
AM
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany. sesterhenn@hno-marburg.de
Fiedler
Gordon
G
Müller
Hans-Helge
HH
Wiegand
Susanne
S
Folz
Benedikt J
BJ
Werner
Jochen A
JA
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003139:Common Cold / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D015994:Incidence; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires