Comparison between pre- and post-laryngectomy pulmonary functions

ABSTRACT

In this work, the study group consisted of 20 patients who were treated by total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer. Pulmonary function test was performed preoperatively and postoperatively for these patients, using a special adaptor for connection of the stoma to the spirometer. The postoperative values of forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume at 1 second [FEC1], forced expiratory flow [FEF25-75, FEF75-85, FEF50, FEF75] forced inspiratory vital capacity [FIVC] and FEF50/FIF50 were significantly lower than the preoperative values. It was concluded that changes in pulmonary function have to be expected after total laryngectomy. Also, more frequent postoperative assessment of pulmonary function is mandatory to reduce impairment of respiratory function in postlaryngectomy cases