Ventilatory Function in the Laryngectomee

It is suspected that there are some changes of ventilatory function in larygectomized persons who compel to unnatural respirate through the tracheostoma. From this points, the ventilatory function in the laryngectomee was studied by spirography and radiography of the chest. The subjects were 25 male cases aged 50 to 76 years old, 8 months to 13 years after laryngectomy. On the lung volume which was measured in recumbent position, there were founded the decrease of vital capasity, the lowering tendency of value of FEV1.0%, abnormal value of tidal volumes and residual volumes, and increase of RV/TLC ratio. Restrictive, obstructive, or combined impaii ements were seen in 18 cases (76%) on the ventiratory functions. In addition, some abnormal findings such as emphysema or bronchitis were fouded in 14 cases on the radiogic examination of the chest. About the size of tracheostoma, it was considered that the size was at least nessesary above 0.9 cm2, because the lowering of FEV1-0% were founded in the cases of which size were beneath 0.6 cm2.