Taste disturbance following tongue base resection for OSA

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.