[Subjective significance of olfactory dysfunction after laryngectomy : Let's ask our patients].

a.sfakia shared this article with you from Inoreader [Subjective significance of olfactory dysfunction after laryngectomy : Let's ask our patients]. Via hno [Subjective significance of olfactory dysfunction after laryngectomy : Let's ask our patients]. HNO. 2020 Oct 14;: Authors: Steinau P, Walter S, Hübner J, Büntzel J Abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Laryngectomy is usually associated with olfactory dysfunction. How do laryngectomees personally experience and feel about this change? MATERIALS AND METHODS: In cooperation with the Bundesverband der Kehlkopfoperierten (German Association of Throat Cancer Patients) and together with laryngectomized patients, a new questionnaire was created and distributed via the regional offices according to the population sizes of the federal states (n = 293) for the first time in spring 2018. The questionnaire covers patient characteristics and daily life without a larynx, as well as the specific areas of smell and taste, albeit without differentiation between ortho- and retronasal olfaction. The items were designed to be answered using patient-friendly visual rating scales, multiple-choice answers, and free text. RESULTS: Return rate was 198/293 (67.6%). Median age of all participants was 69 years (48-88). Overall life situation was rated by 99/198 (50%) participants as "good" or "very good." The primary subjective impairment for the patients was loss of voice (137/198, 69.1%) and loss of olfaction (113/198, 59.1%). Adaption to life without a larynx has been completed within a maximum of 3 years for 161/198 (81.3%) patients. Principally, 127/198 (64.1%) affirmed being able to smell and 176 of 198 (88.9%) being able to taste; however, only 29/198 (14.6%) rated their sense of smell and 109/198 (55.1%) their sense of taste as "good" or "very good." Most frequently detected smell sensations were perfume (141), smoke (126), and feces (99). Univariate analysis showed a significant (p < 0.05) correlation between adaptation time <1 year and current subjective smell and taste. CONCLUSION: Subjective loss of smell and taste after laryngectomy is a daily problem for patients in Germany, which should be focused on promptly and included in early rehabilitation strategies. PMID: 33052423 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.