Open AccessTaste Disturbance After Palatopharyngeal Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Author(s) -
Hsiao HanRen,
Li HsuehYu
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the kaohsiung journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.439
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2410-8650
pISSN - 1607-551X
DOI - 10.1016/s1607-551x(09)70396-1
Subject(s) - medicine , uvulopalatopharyngoplasty , dysgeusia , taste , taste disorder , obstructive sleep apnea , quality of life (healthcare) , sleep apnea , surgery , anesthesia , apnea , polysomnography , adverse effect , food science , chemistry , nursing
Taste disorder is a rare complication of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, and may have a significant impact on quality of life. Herein, we report a case of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in a 51‐ year‐old man who experienced taste disturbance after palatopharyngeal surgery using electrocautery for developing a uvulopalatal flap. Gustatory function test using three‐drop‐method with solutions of highest concentration was implemented to assess the deficiency of four basic tastes. The results showed deficit of sweet taste associated with phantom of bitter taste. The patient reported constant spontaneous bitter taste and dysgeusia in sweet taste with poor quality of life at the 2‐year follow‐up. We suggest that patients are informed of the potential for taste impairment from palatopharyngeal surgery, as well as reducing the use of electrocautery in developing uvulopalatal flap to reduce damage to taste function.