Key Points:
  1. Multiple factors determine normal nasal mucociliary clearance hence there is a lot of variation in the normal mucociliary clearance based on different ethnicity, gender and location.
  2. Effects of prolonged tracheostomy altering the airflow and leading to mucociliary dysfunction, has not been extensively researched.
  3. Saccharin test is a quick, reliable and economical test for evaluation of nasal mucociliary clearance time.
  4. Mucociliary dysfunction worsens as duration of tracheostomy increases .
  5. With the improved survival of prolonged tracheostomy patients, they need to be counselled and rehabilitated accordingly.