Long-term histopathological changes of the nasal mucosa after total laryngectomy: a prospective cohort study

Changes in the nasal function following total laryngectomy resulted in histopathological alterations of the nasal mucosa. We aimed to evaluate the long-term histopathological changes and the mucociliary clearance (MCC) of the nasal mucosa after total laryngectomy.

We performed a histological examination of inferior turbinate biopsy, and saccharine test to assess the MCC time for patients who were candidates for total laryngectomy before the procedure, 6-12 months after surgery, and at least two years postoperatively.

Seventy-five patients scheduled for total laryngectomy were initially enrolled in our study. We excluded patients who received postoperative radiotherapy or were lost during the follow-up period. Eventually, 63 and 54 patients were available for assessment 6-12 months after surgery and at least two years postoperatively, respectively. Except for ciliary and goblet cell destruction, which were significantly reduced 6-12 months postoperatively, there were no statistically significant differences in the histopathological findings of the nasal mucosa before surgery and 6-12 months postoperatively. After two years, the histopathological alterations of the nasal mucosa were statistically more evident than those before surgery and 6-12 months postoperatively; the most common histopathological findings were mononuclear cell infiltration and stromal fibrosis. The mean MCC time preoperatively was 12.56 minutes that statistically significantly decreased to 11.81 minutes 6-12 months after surgery; then, it significantly increased to 20.98 minutes at least two years postoperatively.

After total laryngectomy, the nasal mucosa showed histopathological alterations and early enhancement of the MCC, which was later impaired due to nasal mucosal atrophy and the saprophytic infection.