Evaluation of upper airway obstruction after partial laryngectomies by radiological method and flow-volume loop analysis.

Anatomical and functional estimations of the upper airways in patients after partial laryngectomies (cordectomy, hemilaryngectomy, enlarged hemilaryngectomy) carried out due to cancer are discussed in this paper. The post-operative lumen of the larynx and the trachea were estimated by radiological examination. The coefficient larynx/trachea (L/T) was proposed to describe fixed obstruction. At the same time, all patients underwent spirometric examinations. Inspiratory and expiratory parameters of the flow-volume loop were evaluated. In 39 patients the L/T coefficient was lower than in a group of patients with chronic bronchitis (p < 0.05). Also inspiratory and some expiratory parameters of the flow-volume loop decreased in contrast to the group with chronic bronchitis. All results showed the usefulness of radiological and spirometric methods in detecting upper airway obstructions and confirmed their fixed character. The influence of the area of operation on the degree of upper airway obstruction was emphasized.