LONG-TERM PULMONARY-FUNCTION AFTER TOTAL LARYNGECTOMY

In 58 laryngectomized patients pulmonary function tests were performed during a routine visit to the outpatient clinic, The assessment of pu lmonary function with an extratracheal device could easily and reliabl y be accomplished in all instances. The results show that in long-term follow-up post-laryngectomy expiratory lung function values are signi ficantly lower than predicted. Of the various subjective respiratory c omplaints, only a higher frequency of coughing was statistically signi ficantly associated with decreased lung function values (P < 0.01). Ne ither time since surgery (> 1 year vs < 1 year), nor radiation therapy seemed to be correlated with the pulmonary function outcomes. In cont rast, the age of the patient did have a significant influence. Althoug h an age-related decline in pulmonary function is a well documented ph enomenon, an additional adverse effect was suggested by the present se ries in the group who was over 65 years of age. Bronchodilator treatme nt was found to significantly ameliorate several pulmonary function pa rameters in a sub-group of 18 patients. It may be concluded, that afte r total laryngectomy significant abnormalities in pulmonary function h ave to be anticipated. We have found that these disturbances seem to b e more pronounced with increasing age.