Total laryngectomy patients receiving olfactory rehabilitation with NAIM maneuver and olfactory training

Total laryngectomy patients receiving olfactory rehabilitation only with the NAIM maneuver

Olfactory training with four different odorants (e.g., rose, eucalyptus, lemon, and cloves) for approximately 10 seconds each, twice a day, in the morning and in the evening

Prospectively assess the effect on olfactory function of adding olfactory training to a Nasal Airflow-Inducing Maneuver (NAIM) rehabilitation protocol after total laryngectomy.

Olfactory function was measured with the Sniffin' Sticks Test battery before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. According to normative data, hyposmia was defined as TDI scores ranging from 16.25 to 30.5, while functional anosmia was classified as a TDI score of 16 or below.

Prospectively assess the effect on olfactory-related quality of life of adding olfactory training to a Nasal Airflow-Inducing Maneuver (NAIM) rehabilitation protocol after total laryngectomy.

Participants assessed their smell-related quality of life using the validated Self-reported Mini Olfactory Questionnaire (Self-MOQ) before surgery and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Additionally, the EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaire was used, specifically its senses scale, with scoring conducted according to the EORTC scoring manual. A higher score indicated greater olfactory dysfunction in both questionnaires.

Investigate the impact of olfactory rehabilitation on the olfactory bulb volume after laryngectomy.

Olfactory bulb volume was measured on brain magnetic resonance imaging focusing on the olfactory bulb conducted preoperatively and six months after total laryngectory using a 3 Tesla system. Olfactory bulb volumes were measured bilaterally using coronal T2-weighted images with 2 mm-thick slices and no gaps.