Changes of Taste Function after Palatopharyngeal Surgery in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome.
10.3342/kjorl-hns.2009.52.12.980
- Author:
Il Ho SHIN
1
;
Sang Hoon KIM
;
Young Gyu EUN
;
Seung Youp SHIN
;
Joong Saeng CHO
;
Sung Wan KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. drkimsw@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Taste;
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty;
Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
- MeSH:
Dysgeusia;
Humans;
Nasal Surgical Procedures;
Prospective Studies;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive;
Smell;
Taste Threshold;
Tongue
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2009;52(12):980-984
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative taste changes after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is regarded as an unusual and minor complication. This study aims to evaluate the objective changes of taste threshold according to time course and subjective symptoms change. MATERIALS AND METHOD: With 45 patients who underwent UPPP and 35 patients who underwent nasal surgery as control group, we have prospectively studied postoperative taste changes using a questionnaire, and an electrogustometer (EGM) with regard to symptoms at 7th, 28th days after the surgery. EGM was measured at 5 areas. Also, we have checked pre-operatively about the serum level of zinc. RESULTS: With EGM, the threshold of taste was increased at 7th days after the surgery (p<0.05), but recovered 28th days after the surgery at the posterior part of the tongue in the UPPP group. There were no significant changes in subjective taste dysfunction, smell dysfunction, tongue sensory abnormality, and dysgeusia. CONCLUSION: Taste changes after UPPP was transient and they disappeared within the 1st postoperative month. There were no patients who complained of subjective taste dysfunction, dysgeusia, tongue sensory abnormality after UPPP.
