International Common Otology Database: taste disturbance after stapes surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To use a study on dysgeusia to assess the usefulness of an otology database.


METHODS
Data were extracted from the international Common Otology Database.


METHODS
Primary stapes operations.


RESULTS
From a cohort of 14 otologists, only 8 (57%) were able to satisfy external validation and maintain data input for a period of at least 6 months. The rates of dysgeusia varied from 0 to 39% at 3 months and 0 to 27% at 6 months. The percentages of patients with taste disturbance at 6 months in the "nerve-cut" and "nerve-preserved" groups were 22.7 and 10.9%, respectively, although this was not statistically significant (chi2; p = 0.325).


CONCLUSIONS
Many surgeons found it difficult to maintain a prospective otology database. The rates of certain subjective symptoms such as dysgeusia are influenced by how vigorously the reviewers prompt the response from the patients. Dysgeusia after stapes surgery is common even if the chorda tympani nerve is preserved. Many patients whose chorda tympani nerve is divided may not complain of dysgeusia.
Yung
Matthew
M
Department of Otolaryngology, The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK. matthewyung@btconnect.com
Smith
Phillip
P
Hausler
Rudolf
R
Martin
Christian
C
Offeciers
Erwin
E
Pytel
Josef
J
Skladzien
Jacek
J
Somers
Thomas
T
Ven de Heyning
Paul
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013201:Stapes Surgery; D013651:Taste Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors