Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2001 Sep;44(9):925-929.

The Change of Nasal Blood Flow after a Total Laryngectomy Determined by Laser Doppler Blood Flowmetry

• Moon HJ
• Kim CH
• Han SJ
• Lee JG
• Choi EC
• Yoon JH

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The effects of airflow cessation on the human nasal mucosa can be conveniently studied in laryngectomees and the blood flow to nasal mucosa is an important factor in maintaining normal nasal function. Therefore, we investigated the changes in nasal mucosa blood flow after a total laryngectomy with Laser Doppler flowmetry. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Twenty-four laryngectomees were studied and compared with 35 normal volunteers. Among 24 total laryngectomees, 9 were esophageal speakers. The Laser Doppler flowmetry was performed using a Periflux 4001 (Perimed, Jrtlla, Sweden) and Perfusion unit (PU), Velocity unit (VU), and Concentration Unit (CU) were measured. The laser Doppler flowmetry data in the laryngectomees were compared with those of the normal subjects, and between the esophageal and non-esophageal speakers.
RESULTS
The difference between laryngectomees and normal subjects was statistically significant with the exception of the CU (p<0.05). Furthermore, no correlations were found between blood flow and age, and between blood flow and postoperative duration. The difference between esophageal speakers and non-esophageal speakers was statistically significant with the exception of the level of concentration (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The nasal blood flow decreased after a total laryngectomy. When airflow improved, an increase in the level of blood flow was recorded. And the change of the nasal blood flow most likely occured within the first year after a total laryngectomy.

Keyword

Laser Doppler flowmetry; Nasal mucosa; Perfusion; Laryngectomy

MeSH Terms

Healthy Volunteers
Humans
Laryngectomy*
Laser-Doppler Flowmetry
Nasal Mucosa
Perfusion
Rheology*