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Taste disturbance following tongue base resection for OSA
Author(s) -
Lin HsinChing,
Hwang Michelle S.,
Liao ChangChuan,
Friedman Michael
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.25580
Subject(s) - medicine , tongue , dysphagia , taste , taste disorder , obstructive sleep apnea , dysgeusia , surgery , apnea , sleep apnea , anesthesia , psychology , pathology , adverse effect , neuroscience
Objectives/Hypothesis To investigate taste disturbance (TD) following endoscopic coblator open tongue base resection (Eco‐TBR) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)–hypopnea syndrome. Study Design A retrospective study in a tertiary academic medical center. Methods Eighty patients with OSA who failed continuous positive airway pressure therapy and underwent Eco‐TBR for the tongue base obstruction were enrolled in this study. Taste changes and complications were examined before and after surgery. The standard three‐drop‐method gustatory function test was used to study taste status preoperatively and at 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Results Six female and 74 male patients with OSA (mean age, 42.6 years; mean apnea–hypopnea index, 48.9/hour) had a minimum follow‐up of 3 months and complete data available for analysis. One patient had postoperative oral bleeding. No long‐term obvious dysphagia was encountered. Twelve patients had obvious TD in the four basic tastes (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter). At 3 months postoperative time, eight patients still had changes in taste sensation; however, the TD severity decreased and did not impact the patients' regular social life. The percentage of taste changes by time after Eco‐TBR was between 13.8% and 17.5%. Conclusion This study shows Eco‐TBR may contribute to postoperative TD. The surgeons should clearly inform the OSA patient about the possibility of TDs after tongue base resection. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope , 126:1009–1013, 2016