Respiratory function in post-laryngectomy patients related to stomal size

Thirty-nine laryngectomized patients from the Professorial Unit of The Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, were recalled between 6 months and 18 years after operation. The tracheal and stomal diameters were measured and, in addition to a full general examination, respiratory function tests (including arterial blood gas estimations) were performed. Most patients had impaired respiratory function tests which were in excess of the expected impairment due to age alone. The study suggests that impaired function is due to intercurrent pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, rather than anatomical factors related to the changed upper airway. There was no correlation between stomal size or tracheal/stomal cross sectional area ratio and the measured respiratory function.