A clinical survey of laryngectomy patients to detect presence of the false perception of an intact larynx or the "phantom larynx" phenomenon.

The Phantom larynx phenomenon (the false perception on an intact larynx in a laryngectomee) exists and is an important issue in the post-laryngectomy rehabilitation of such patients. The phantom limb phenomenon has been described after amputation of a limb or other parts of the body. Amputation or removal of any part is usually associated with a global feeling that the missing part is still present. We undertook this study to identify whether a phantom larynx phenomenon actually exists in laryngectomees. We also aimed to elicit its association with the duration following surgery. We did a clinical survey of 66 post-laryngectomy patients (30-80 years of age). Twenty-two of these patients were assessed within 6 months following surgery, whereas 44 patients were assessed at least 6 months later. A questionnaire containing 11 questions was served to these laryngectomees pertaining to false perception of persistent laryngeal functions and adaptation to the post-laryngectomy status. All patients showed an evidence of a phantom larynx phenomenon. In the majority of these patients, it persisted even after 6 months following surgery. There was no significant difference in the two groups (less than or more than 6 months) except for one question pertaining to occlusion of stoma for speech (77% vs. 29%). False perception of nasal breathing (59% and 43%) and olfactory sensation (63% in both groups) were the most common. Phantom larynx phenomenon following laryngectomy exists and may cause anxiety and poor rehabilitation among patients. Education and rehabilitation with regards to such a phenomenon is therefore needed in all patients.

Citation

Pankaj Chaturvedi, Prashant V Pawar, Suhail Syed, Deepa Nair, Sourav Dutta, Devendra Chaukar, Anil K D'Cruz. A clinical survey of laryngectomy patients to detect presence of the false perception of an intact larynx or the "phantom larynx" phenomenon. Indian journal of medical and paediatric oncology : official journal of Indian Society of Medical & Paediatric Oncology. 2013 Jan;34(1):3-7

PMID: 23878478

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