We evaluated airway volume in patients after total laryngectomy.

A total of 53 patients who underwent total laryngectomy were included in this study. Twelve of the patients had supraglottic Ca and 41 had transglottic Ca. Total lung volume, and intrapulmonary and tracheal airway volumes were measured.

After total laryngectomy, tracheal airway volume decreased more in transglottic Ca patients compared with supraglottic Ca patients (p < 0.05). Even though intrapulmonary airway volumes and total lung volumes were not different between transglottic Ca and supraglottic Ca patients (p > 0.05), these volumes decreased post-operatively in both groups (p < 0.05). In older patients, the post-operative decrease in the tracheal airway volume was higher than in younger patients (p < 0.05). Pre-operative radiotherapy was applied in 50.0 per cent of supraglottic Ca patients and 58.5 per cent of transglottic Ca patients (p > 0.05).

Because lower airway volume and total lung volume decrease after total laryngectomy, pulmonary rehabilitation should be administered post-operatively and appropriate follow up is essential to prevent tracheostomal narrowing.