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Short‐term and long‐term follow‐up of pulmonary function in patients with COPD after total laryngectomy: A prospective study
Author(s) -
Schönwald Charlotte,
Körber Maria Isabel,
Beutner Dirk,
Pfister Roman,
Frank Konrad,
GuntinasLichius Orlando,
Michels Guido
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.26484
Subject(s) - medicine , laryngectomy , vital capacity , tracheotomy , copd , mouthpiece , pulmonary function testing , anesthesia , surgery , lung function , lung , larynx , diffusing capacity , dentistry
Objective There exists no standardized method for examining lung function in laryngectomized patients. Study Design and Methods We established a base plate adapter (BPA) system for patients after laryngectomy. In 10 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we evaluated pulmonary function before laryngectomy, as well as 2 weeks and 3 months after laryngectomy. Results The BPA system was well tolerated and delivered reliable results comparable to measurements with a mouthpiece. The parameters forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 ), forced vital capacity (FVC), and mean forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (MFEF 25–75 ) changed in the early postoperative examinations (2 weeks postoperative), whereas MFEF 25–75 , FEF 75 , peak expiratory flow (PEF), and peak inspiratory flow (PIF)) showed differences from baseline in long‐term follow‐up (3 months postoperative). Conclusion We provide a practicable method of lung function testing in laryngectomized patients with COPD that is essential to tailor inhalation therapy despite tracheotomy. Lung function measurements of laryngectomized patients with COPD should be performed under stable clinical conditions a few weeks after surgery. Guidelines of COPD might be complemented considering the subgroup of laryngectomized patients. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope , 127:2045–2049, 2017