Gustatory changes in patients with chronic otitis media, before and after middle-ear surgery

C. C. Huang, C. D. Lin, C. Y. Wang, J. H. Chen, Y. T. Shiao, M. H. Tsai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: We investigated gustatory changes in patients with chronic otitis media, before and after middle-ear surgery.Methods: This prospective study included 38 patients with unilateral chronic otitis media. We used taste testing solutions to evaluate each patient's taste function. Intra-operative assessments of the chorda tympani nerve were also compared and analysed.Results: Patients with chronic otitis media had significantly worse ipsilateral perception of sour, bitter and salty tastes. In patients with good intra-operative preservation of the chorda tympani nerve, there was significant improvement in gustatory function one month post-operatively, compared with the pre-operative baseline. In patients who sustained intra-operative chorda tympani nerve injury, one month post-operative gustatory function was the same as the pre-operative baseline.Conclusion: Middle-ear surgery for chronic otitis media not only treats the ear but also improves gustatory function in the majority of patients. In patients with intra-operative injury to the chorda tympani nerve, post-operative taste decline is only temporary.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)470-474
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Laryngology and Otology
Volume126
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Chorda Tympani Nerve
  • Ear
  • Hypogeusia
  • Middle
  • Otitis Media
  • Taste
  • Tympanoplasty

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

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