Validation of methodology for assessment of pulmonary function in patients who undergo total laryngectomy.

Background: In patients submitted to laryngectomy, pulmonary complications may lead to death. A simple method with a standardized extratracheal device for the pulmonary assessment of laryngectomized patients would be very useful. The purpose of this study was to validate the methodology for pulmonary assessment in these patients through the application of an adhesive extratracheal device.