Smell-related quality of life changes after total laryngectomy: a multi-centre study

Eugene Wong*, Murray Smith, Malcolm A. Buchanan, Akshay Kudpaje, Andrew Williamson, Prasanna Suresh Hedge, Daniel Hazan, Jordan Idiare, Mark C. Smith, Niranjan Sritharan, Carsten Palme, Faruque Riffat

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
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Abstract

Purpose: A total laryngectomy creates an alternate airway for gas exchange that bypasses the upper aerodigestive tract. The subsequent reduction in nasal airflow, and therefore, reduction in deposition of particles to the olfactory neuroepithelium leads to hyposmia or anosmia. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life impairment conferred by anosmia following laryngectomy and identify any specific patient-related risk factors that are associated with poorer outcomes. Methods: Consecutive patients with a total laryngectomy presenting for review at three tertiary head and neck services (in Australia, the United Kingdom and India) over a 12-month period were recruited. Patient demographic and clinical data were collected, and each subject completed the validated assessment of self-reported olfactory functioning and olfaction-related quality of life questionnaire (ASOF). Dichotomous comparisons were performed using the student's unpaired t-test for continuous variables (SRP), a chi-squared test for categorical variables, and a Kendall's tau-b for ordinal variables (SOC) to assess for a correlation with poorer questionnaire scores. Results: A total of 66 laryngectomees (13.4% female; age 65.7 ± 8.6 years) were included in the study. The mean SRP score of the cohort was found to be 15.6 ± 7.4, while the mean ORQ score was noted to be 16.4 ± 8.1. No other specific risk factors associated with poorer quality of life were identified. Conclusion: A significant quality of life detriment from hyposmia is conferred following laryngectomy. Further research to assess treatment options and the patient population that would best benefit from these interventions is required.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3861-3866
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
Volume280
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2023

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2023. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

A correction exists for this article and can be found in European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology (2023) Vol. 280 p. 4721 at doi: 10.1007/s00405-023-08161-z

Keywords

  • Anosmia
  • Hyposmia
  • Laryngectomy
  • Multicenter
  • Quality of life
  • Smell

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