The significance of rhinomanometry in evaluation of postlaryngectomy olfactory rehabilitation by polite yawning technique.

OBJECTIVE

To corroborate the result of postlaryngectomy olfactory rehabilitation evaluating the efficacy of the Polite Yawning Technique (PYT) with rhinomanometry and odours with the Smell diskettes Olfaction test (SDOT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two laryngectomised patients were subjected to olfactory rehabilitation consisting of 15-minute training and independent exercising for two weeks. The sense of smell and nasal airflow in laryngectomised patients were examined before and after implementation of PYT.

RESULTS

The differences in SDOT results prior to and after introduction of PYT were statistically significant, most patients achieving better results after rehabilitation. A significant positive correlation was obtained in results of SDOT and rhinomanometry prior to and after introduction of PYT. The results of measurements after rehabilitation showed that 75% of patients had improved nasal breathing, 78% of patients had a better sense of smell and 40% of patients became normosmic.

CONCLUSIONS

PYT has proved to be an effective method in olfaction rehabilitation following total laryngectomy. Using rhinomanometry, evaluation of the rehabilitation success is substantiated while the technique is simplified.