Taste Disturbance following Coblator Open Tongue Base Resection for OSA

Abstract

Objectives:

Retrospectively investigate the taste disturbance (TD) following endoscopic Coblator open tongue base resection (Eco-TBR) for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA).

Methods:

Eighty patients with OSA who failed CPAP therapy and then underwent modified UPPP combined with Eco-TBR were enrolled in this study. TD in the postoperative questionnaire was examined. The 3-drop-method gustatory function test was used to study the 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, 48.5/h) 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 4 basic tastes (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter). Eight patients still had the change of taste sensation up to postoperative 3 months; however, the TD severity decreased and did not impact the patient’s regular social life.

Conclusions:

This study shows coblator open tongue base resection may increase the likelihood of taste disturbance postoperatively. Patients with taste disturbance after Eco-TBR may gradually recover their taste function over time.