Gustatory function after tonsillectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess taste function before and after tonsillectomy (TE).


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
Sixty-five patients (42 females, 23 males; mean age, 28 years).


METHODS
Taste function was investigated before TE with 4 concentrations each of sweet, sour, salty, and bitter quality, respectively, on both sides of the anterior and posterior areas of the tongue. Self-assessment of gustatory function was performed by visual analogue scales. Thirty-two patients were retested 64 to 173 days after TE. Thirty-three patients could not be retested after TE but were interviewed by telephone.


RESULTS
Self-assessed taste function significantly decreased (P=.001). Yet, none of the subjects reported taste dysfunction. Tonsillectomy had no major effect on taste test scores (P>.27).


CONCLUSIONS
Persisting taste dysfunction seems to be rare after TE.
Mueller
Christian A
CA
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, AKH Vienna, Austria, and Rhinology-Olfactory Unit, University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland. chr.mue@gmx.at
Khatib
Saher
S
Landis
Basile N
BN
Temmel
Andreas F P
AF
Hummel
Thomas
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013649:Taste; D013652:Taste Threshold; D014068:Tonsillectomy