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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 May 2012

C-C Huang ,
C-D Lin ,
C-Y Wang ,
J-H Chen ,
Y-T Shiao  and
M-H Tsai
C-C Huang
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taiwan
C-D Lin*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taiwan
C-Y Wang
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taiwan
J-H Chen
Affiliation:
Biostatistics Center, China Medical University, Taiwan
Y-T Shiao
Affiliation:
Biostatistics Center, China Medical University, Taiwan
M-H Tsai
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taiwan
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Chia-Der Lin, Department of Otolaryngology, China Medical University Hospital, 2 Yuh-Der Road, Taichung City, Taiwan 40447 Fax: +886 4 2205 2121 E-mail: esophagus@pchome.com.tw
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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.

Keywords

TasteOtitis MediaHypogeusiaEarMiddleChorda Tympani NerveTympanoplasty

Information

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 5 , May 2012 , pp. 470 - 474
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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