title: Modifications and evaluation of smell and taste functions in total laryngectomy: systematic review.
abstract: The aim of this study was to systematically review the alterations in smell and taste functions in individuals who underwent total laryngectomy, as well as to identify in the literature some aspects involved in the evaluation of these functions in this population. We performed a systematic review on the databases Medline, LILACS and SciELO, and this data search occurred in October/2010. The search used keywords and free terms, and retrieved 84 articles, 79 from Medline, via Pubmed, and five form LILACS and SciELO. Sixteen of these articles were selected. Most studies in this review attested decline in sensory of smell and taste functions in individuals who underwent total laryngectomy and, although there is consensus regarding the damage caused to these functions by the nasal airflow interruption, it is not yet possible to evidence details in the mechanisms and structures involved, especially regarding the modifications in the olfactory mucous.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil. adasc@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ada Salvetti Cavalcanti
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Caldas
authors.forename: Vera Lúcia Dutra
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Facundes
authors.forename: Thais Myriam Aragão
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Mário Genuíno
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Dourado Filho
authors.forename: Paulo Fernando
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Pinheiro Júnior
authors.forename: Hilton Justino da
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*