Long-Term Histologic Changes in Nasal Mucosa after Total Laryngectomy

Objective. To determine the long-term histopathologic changes in nasal mucosa and the relationship between progression of the histopathologic changes and the duration without air current stimulation. Material and Method. Biopsies were taken from the inferior turbinates of 11 laryngeal cancer patients after total laryngectomy. Specimens were stained with hematoksilen-eosin and several histopathologic parameters were examined under light microscopy. Results. All of the patients demonstrated at least one histopathologic abnormality (100%, n = 11). Goblet destruction and stromal fibrosis were the most common findings (81%, n = 9), followed by focal epithelial atrophy and subepithelial seromusinous gland destruction (45%, n = 5), neovascularization and congestion (36%, n = 4), complete epithelial atrophy and mixoid degeneration (27%, n = 3). According to the duration between laryngectomy and biopsy, patients were grouped in to three: group 1; less than 12 months (36%, n = 4), group 2; 12-36 months (18%, n = 2), and group 3; more than 36 months (45%, n = 5). Only congestion was found to be decreased as the duration increased (P < .005). Conclusion. In laryngeal cancer patients histopathologic changes occur in nasal mucosa eventuate due to the cessation of air current stimulation, however there was no relation between progression of the histopathologic findings and the duration of cessation.