Alterations in nasal physiology after laryngectomy: the nasal cycle

Several changes in nasal physiology have been reported following laryngectomy. This paper reviews these changes and investigates the cycle of alternating distribution of nasal airflow in 20 adults. Information about the cyclic activity was obtained from the areas of condensation formed by nasal expiration on the surface of a Gertner-Podoshin plate. Consecutive measurements of these areas were made at 15-minute intervals during a 6-8 hour period. Five control subjects demonstrated a nasal cyclic activity which was absent in five patients 1-3 years post-laryngectomy. Two patients with preoperative cycles showed none three weeks after laryngectomy. Three patients with a temporary surgical diversion of supraglottic airflow showed cessation of the cycle, which resumed after restoration of the natural airway; one of these patients had undergone hemilaryngectomy with section of both superior laryngeal nerves. Five patients showed no alteration after operation involving no diversion of supraglottic airflow (tonsillectomy). These results demonstrate cessation of the cycle following chronic absence of supraglottic airflow, temporary, cessation during acute absence, and independence of the cycle from superior laryngeal innervation.