Long-term Results of Olfaction Rehabilitation Using the Nasal Airflow-Inducing ("Polite Yawning") Maneuver After Total Laryngectomy

Results: The correlation between the previously used ODT-POPS combination and the SDT was =0.56 (P.001). Based on these results, we preferred to use the much simpler SDT instead of the laborious combination of the ODT-POPS. Based on the SDT results, 19 (46%) of the 41 laryngectomees were “smellers” and could be considered normosmic. There was a significant relationship (P=.03) between the patient’s correct execution of the NAIM and whether or not the laryngectomee was a smeller according to the SDT. Conclusions: The effectiveness of the NAIM, or socalled polite yawning technique, for the rehabilitation of olfaction in individuals who have undergone total laryngectomy was reconfirmed. Long-term olfaction rehabilitation was achieved in about 50% of the patients, but more intensified training may be needed to increase the percentage of successfully rehabilitated individuals. The SDT is an effective and simple test for the assessment of olfaction acuity after laryngectomy. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;128:648-654