Total laryngectomy negatively impacts sinonasal and olfactory-specific quality of life

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to characterize deficits in olfactory-specific and sinonasal-specific QoL after total laryngectomy (TL) with validated patient reported outcome measures. MethodsThirty patients who had a TL were prospectively enrolled. Patient demographics, as well as scores from the Questionnaire of Olfactory Disorders Negative Statements (QOD-NS) and the Sino-nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) were collected. Univariate analysis was performed to assess associations between patient characteristics and QoL scores. ResultsThe average QOD-NS score was 37.9 ± 11.4 (<38.5 is considered abnormal) and average SNOT-22 score was 32.0 ± 3.8 (>20 indicates a moderate/severe impact on QoL). The abnormal QOD-NS group had a greater percentage of former smokers compared to the normal group (77.8% vs. 58.1%; P = 0.56) and more median days from surgery compared to the normal group (904 vs. 477 days; P = 0.24). ConclusionsOlfactory dysfunction associated with TL results in blunting of olfactory-specific QoL.