Evaluation of lung function in patients submitted to total laryngectomy / Avaliação da função pulmonar em pacientes submetidos à laringectomia total

Abstract Introduction: The post-laryngectomy state is characterized by several alterations in lung function. A reliable estimation of lung function can be very useful in laryngectomees to prevent postoperative complications and to evaluate the results of the treatment. Objective: Characterize the presence of respiratory functional disorders and the functional pattern of laryngectomees through the use of an extratracheal device. Methods: This transversal study included 50 patients submitted to total laryngectomy at least 6 months prior to this investigation, as the treatment of choice for laryngeal cancer. Results: 56% percent of the participants had altered breathing pattern, distributed as follows: 14 with obstructive pattern with no air trapping, 11 with obstructive pattern with air trapping and only 3 with restrictive pattern. On average, the diffusion decreased (74.3%) and airway resistance increased (121.7%) when compared to the expected average values for the Brazilian individuals. Conclusion: Most patients submitted to total laryngectomy present altered lung function, usually the obstructive type, frequently associated to a history of smoking.

Resumo Introdução: A condição pós-laringectomia é caracterizada por várias alterações na função pulmonar. Uma estimativa confiável da função pulmonar pode ser muito útil em pacientes laringectomizados para prevenir complicações após as intervenções cirúrgicas e avaliar os resultados do tratamento. Objetivo: Caracterizar a presença de distúrbios funcionais respiratórios e o padrão funcional de pacientes laringectomizados através do uso de um dispositivo extratraqueal. Método: Estudo transversal que incluiu 50 pacientes submetidos à laringectomia total pelo menos seis meses antes desta investigação, como tratamento de escolha para o câncer de laringe. Resultados: Dos participantes, 56% apresentavam padrão respiratório alterado, assim distribuídos: 14 com padrão obstrutivo sem aprisionamento aéreo, 11 com padrão obstrutivo e aprisionamento aéreo e apenas três com padrão restritivo. Em média, verificou-se que a difusão encontrava-se diminuída (74,3%) e a resistência das vias aéreas aumentada (121,7%) em relação aos resultados esperados em brasileiros. Conclusão: A maioria dos pacientes submetidos à laringectomia total apresenta função pulmonar alterada, do tipo obstrutiva, quase sempre associada a história de tabagismo.

Evaluation of lung function in patients submitted to total laryngectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The post-laryngectomy state is characterized by several alterations in lung function. A reliable estimation of lung function can be very useful in laryngectomees to prevent postoperative complications and to evaluate the results of the treatment. OBJECTIVE: Characterize the presence of respiratory functional disorders and the functional pattern of laryngectomees through the use of an extratracheal device. METHODS: This transversal study included 50 patients submitted to total laryngectomy at least 6 months prior to this investigation, as the treatment of choice for laryngeal cancer. RESULTS: 56% percent of the participants had altered breathing pattern, distributed as follows: 14 with obstructive pattern with no air trapping, 11 with obstructive pattern with air trapping and only 3 with restrictive pattern. On average, the diffusion decreased (74.3%) and airway resistance increased (121.7%) when compared to the expected average values for the Brazilian individuals. CONCLUSION: Most patients submitted to total laryngectomy present altered lung function, usually the obstructive type, frequently associated to a history of smoking.

Respiratory Condition of Family Farmers Exposed to Pesticides in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Pesticide exposure is a growing public health concern. Although Brazil is the world’s largest consumer of pesticides, only a few studies have addressed the health effects among farmers. This study aimed to evaluate whether pesticide exposure is associated with respiratory outcomes among rural workers and relatives in Brazil during the crop and off-seasons. Family farmers (82) were interviewed about occupational history and respiratory symptoms, and cholinesterase tests were conducted in the crop-season. Spirometry was performed during the crop and off-season. Respiratory outcomes were compared between seasons and multiple regressions analysis were conducted to search for associations with exposure indicators. Participants were occupationally and environmentally exposed to multiple pesticides from an early age. During the crop and off-season, respectively, they presented a prevalence of 40% and 30.7% for cough, 30.7% and 24% for nasal allergies, and 24% and 17.3% for chest tightness. Significant associations between spirometry impairments and exposure indicators were found both during the crop and off-season. These findings provide complementary evidence about the association of pesticide exposure with adverse respiratory effects among family farmers in Brazil. This situation requires special attention as it may increase the risk of pulmonary dysfunctions, and the morbidity and mortality burden associated with these diseases.

Validation of methodology for assessment of pulmonary function in patients who undergo total laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND: In patients submitted to laryngectomy, pulmonary complications may lead to death. A simple method with a standardized extratracheal device for the pulmonary assessment of laryngectomized patients would be very useful. The purpose of this study was to validate the methodology for pulmonary assessment in these patients through the application of an adhesive extratracheal device. METHODS: This transversal study included 50 patients who had been submitted to total laryngectomy. Pulmonary tests were used to characterize the presence of respiratory functional limitation. Aiming at evaluating the reproducibility of the performed tests, parameters were used for the acceptance of the tests. A comparison of these parameters was made with 50 tests performed in nonlaryngectomized patients. RESULTS: The total of rejected tests was greater in the control group when compared to the laryngectomized group. CONCLUSION: The methodology for the assessment of the pulmonary function by using the extratracheal proposed device is reliable, accurate, and reproducible. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E2030-E2034, 2016.

Exercise performance and dynamic hyperinflation in lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

RATIONALE: Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is characterized by exercise performance impairment. Although airflow limitation is common, no previous studies have evaluated the prevalence and impact of dynamic hyperinflation (DH) in LAM. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the dynamic responses during maximal exercise and the prevalence, predictors, and repercussions of DH in LAM. METHODS: Forty-two patients with LAM performed symptom-limited incremental cycle exercise and pulmonary functions tests (PFTs) and were compared with 10 age-matched healthy women. Dyspnea intensity, inspiratory capacity, oxygen saturation, and cardiac, metabolic, and respiratory variables were assessed during exercise. Patients with LAM also performed a 6-minute walk test (6MWT). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients with LAM had higher baseline dyspnea, poorer quality of life, obstructive pattern, air trapping, and reduced diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide in PFTs. Although they had the same level of regular physical activity, their maximal exercise performance was reduced and was associated with ventilatory limitation, greater desaturation, and dyspnea. The prevalence of DH was high in LAM (55%), even in patients with mild spirometric abnormalities, and was correlated with airflow obstruction, air trapping, and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide. Compared with the non-DH subgroup, the patients who developed DH had a ventilatory limitation contributing to exercise cessation on cycling and higher desaturation and dyspnea intensity during the 6MWT. CONCLUSIONS: Ventilatory limitation and gas exchange impairment are important causes of exercise limitation in LAM. DH is frequent in LAM, even in patients with mild spirometric abnormalities. DH was associated with the severity of disease, higher dyspnea, and lower oxygen saturation. In the 6MWT, desaturation and dyspnea were greater in patients with DH.

Diaphragmatic breathing training program improves abdominal motion during natural breathing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a diaphragmatic breathing training program (DBTP) on thoracoabdominal motion and functional capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects (N=30; forced expiratory volume in 1s, 42%±13% predicted) were randomly allocated to either a training group (TG) or a control group (CG). INTERVENTIONS: Subjects in the TG completed a 4-week supervised DBTP (3 individualized weekly sessions), while those in the CG received their usual care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Effectiveness was assessed by amplitude of the rib cage to abdominal motion ratio (RC/ABD ratio) (primary outcome) and diaphragmatic mobility (secondary outcome). The RC/ABD ratio was measured using respiratory inductive plethysmography during voluntary diaphragmatic breathing and natural breathing. Diaphragmatic mobility was measured by ultrasonography. A 6-minute walk test and health-related quality of life were also evaluated. RESULTS: Immediately after the 4-week DBTP, the TG showed a greater abdominal motion during natural breathing quantified by a reduction in the RC/ABD ratio when compared with the CG (F=8.66; P<.001). Abdominal motion during voluntary diaphragmatic breathing after the intervention was also greater in the TG than in the CG (F=4.11; P<.05). The TG showed greater diaphragmatic mobility after the 4-week DBTP than did the CG (F=15.08; P<.001). An improvement in the 6-minute walk test and in health-related quality of life was also observed in the TG. CONCLUSIONS: DBTP for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease induced increased diaphragm participation during natural breathing, resulting in an improvement in functional capacity.

A sigmoidal fit for pressure-volume curves of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients on mechanical ventilation: clinical implications.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory pressure-volume curves fitted to exponential equations have been used to assess disease severity and prognosis in spontaneously breathing patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Sigmoidal equations have been used to fit pressure-volume curves for mechanically ventilated patients but not for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. We compared a sigmoidal model and an exponential model to fit pressure-volume curves from mechanically ventilated patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: Six idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients and five controls underwent inflation pressure-volume curves using the constant-flow technique during general anesthesia prior to open lung biopsy or thymectomy. We identified the lower and upper inflection points and fit the curves with an exponential equation, V = A-B.e-k.P, and a sigmoid equation, V = a+b/(1+e-(P-c)/d). RESULTS: The mean lower inflection point for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients was significantly higher (10.5 ± 5.7 cm H2O) than that of controls (3.6 ± 2.4 cm H2O). The sigmoidal equation fit the pressure-volume curves of the fibrotic and control patients well, but the exponential equation fit the data well only when points below 50% of the inspiratory capacity were excluded. CONCLUSION: The elevated lower inflection point and the sigmoidal shape of the pressure-volume curves suggest that respiratory system compliance is decreased close to end-expiratory lung volume in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients under general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. The sigmoidal fit was superior to the exponential fit for inflation pressure-volume curves of anesthetized patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and could be useful for guiding mechanical ventilation during general anesthesia in this condition.

A sigmoidal fit for pressure-volume curves of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients on mechanical ventilation: clinical implications

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory pressure-volume curves fitted to exponential equations have been used to assess disease severity and prognosis in spontaneously breathing patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Sigmoidal equations have been used to fit pressure-volume curves for mechanically ventilated patients but not for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. We compared a sigmoidal model and an exponential model to fit pressure-volume curves from mechanically ventilated patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS: Six idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients and five controls underwent inflation pressure-volume curves using the constant-flow technique during general anesthesia prior to open lung biopsy or thymectomy. We identified the lower and upper inflection points and fit the curves with an exponential equation, V = A-B.e-k.P, and a sigmoid equation, V = a+b/(1+e-(P-c)/d). RESULTS: The mean lower inflection point for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients was significantly higher (10.5 ± 5.7 cm H2O) than that of controls (3.6 ± 2.4 cm H2O). The sigmoidal equation fit the pressure-volume curves of the fibrotic and control patients well, but the exponential equation fit the data well only when points below 50 percent of the inspiratory capacity were excluded. CONCLUSION: The elevated lower inflection point and the sigmoidal shape of the pressure-volume curves suggest that respiratory system compliance is decreased close to end-expiratory lung volume in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients under general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation. The sigmoidal fit was superior to the exponential fit for inflation pressure-volume curves of anesthetized patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and could be useful for guiding mechanical ventilation during general anesthesia in this condition.