Endoscopy findings affect subjective smell rehabilitation in post-laryngectomy patients using the nasal airflow-inducing manoeuvre

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of post-laryngectomy patients, including nasal endoscopy findings, that affect subjective smell improvement in the post-surgical period.Methods: Thirty patients who had undergone total laryngectomy participated in at least three sessions of a smell rehabilitation programme involving the nasal airflow-inducing manoeuvre, under the supervision of a speechlanguage pathologist. Patient characteristics and nasal endoscopy findings were evaluated.Results: Participants experienced a mean improvement in sense of smell of 61 per cent ( p < 0.001) and a significant improvement in appetite ( p = 0.002). Male patients and patients with a nasal discharge had a significantly better outcome.Conclusion: The nasal airflow-inducing manoeuvre is an effective method for improving smell perception and appetite in laryngectomy patients. There was no relationship between nasal endoscopy findings and outcome of the nasal airflow-inducing manoeuvre rehabilitation programme in our case series.

Efficacy of Nasal Airflow‐Inducing Maneuver in Laryngectomy Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…Ward et al 24 reported that olfaction improved further with professional instruction in NAIM practice environments rather than with home practice. A number of longitudinal studies have been conducted in which professionals were closely involved 9–12,25 . The control of training frequency and duration of training in the NAIM experienced group in this study was not perfect.…”