[Olfactory rehabilitation via retronasal olfaction using a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis after total laryngectomy. German version].

BACKGROUND

Despite the variety of existing methods for olfactory rehabilitation after total laryngectomy, olfactory disability remains one of the main factors limiting quality of life for laryngectomees.

OBJECTIVE

Considering the need for a socially acceptable rehabilitation method that is suitable for everyday use, this study sought to elucidate whether retronasal olfaction during phonation through a tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis is possible.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The odor identification of 22 laryngectomees was assessed using the Sniffin' Sticks test battery (12 odors), while performing an established method of olfactory rehabilitation-"polite yawning"-or while transnasal expiration or phonation through the tracheoesophageal fistula (TF). To facilitate the latter, a novel Expiratory Nasal Airflow M‑Maneuver (ENAMM) was developed.

RESULTS

All 21 non-anosmic laryngectomees included in the study were able to identify odors retronasally. While only 6 of 22 patients (27.3%) could perform the nasal expiration through the TF, all patients could easily perform phonation using ENAMM after proper instruction. The odor identification scores with the ENAMM technique did not statistically differ from ones with "polite yawning" (5.4 ± 3.1 vs. 6.4 ± 3.2, p = 0.279). The ENAMM was easy to learn and showed a tendency of increasing olfactory scores over time, possibly due to a learning effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Study results show that retronasal olfaction using a voice prosthesis after total laryngectomy is possible and suggest the potential of ENAMM as a method of olfactory rehabilitation for laryngectomy patients.