Olfactory rehabilitation after total laringectomy

Abstract

ObjectivesTo analyse the olfactory function in patients after total laryngectomy and evaluate the outcomes of using the nasal airflow-inducing manoeuvre. Material and methodsA prospective clinical intervention study was carried out with 41 patients who had undergone total laryngectomy, of which 39 were male and 2 female. After verifying that there were no anatomical disorders, the patients were given an olfaction test that classified them into two groups, those with olfactory perception and those without. All underwent rehabilitation using the induced nasal airflow technique and, subsequently, the olfaction test was repeated to enable a comparison with the first results obtained. A semi-structured interview was held to evaluate the senses of taste and smell of the participants, also taking into account their own opinion. ResultsOut of the 41 patients included in the study, 9 had olfactory perception before rehabilitation, according to the first olfaction test. The use of the nasal airflow manoeuvre meant the recovery or improvement of the olfactory capacity in 90.24% of the patients. ConclusionsThe nasal airflow-inducing technique enables an important recovery of olfaction and improvement of taste after total laryngectomy. This technique is easy to learn and to repeat. It does not require expensive materials. The recovery of olfaction and taste implies an improvement in quality of life for the patient, so this technique should be included in all protocols of comprehensive rehabilitation after total laryngectomy.