Introduction:

With the advances made in the field of rhinology in the last two decades, several studies have highlighted the functions of nasal mucocilia and its pivotal role in maintaining the nasal physiology. The focus of attention is now drawn to identify the factors which alter the nasal mucociliary clearance, thereby affecting the nasal functions.
Tracheostomy is a life-saving procedure that bypasses the upper airway causing absence or reduced nasal airflow. Hypothetically this altered nasal airflow in patients with prolonged tracheostomy could lead to nasal mucociliary dysfunction. There are very few studies in the medical literature that evaluates the effects of prolonged tracheostomy on nasal physiology [1]. Hence this study was done to assess the impact of prolonged tracheostomy on nasal mucociliary clearance.