Long-Term Histologic Changes in Nasal Mucosa after Total Laryngectomy

Abstract

This recently published interesting paper [1] showed statistically significant reduction (P < .005) in congestion of inferior turbinate mucosa in 2 groups of post-total laryngectomy patients over a period of time (group 1; less than 12 months, group 2; 12–36 months). I am intrigued as to which statistical test was used to calculate this and the other P values, since it was not mentioned in the study. Also, I wonder what the authors' and readers' opinions are with regards to the time intervals at which biopsies were taken postoperatively. Could the other histological indices have born a statistically significant difference between the groups, where shorter time intervals are to be used (e.g., 3, 6, and 9 months)? The references cited by the authors themselves certainly do not seem to observe any standard established time frames. It would be interesting to gauge readers' opinion on these matters.