Taste Disturbance after Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated factors that may attribute to taste disturbance (TD) following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). STUDY DESIGN: This longitudinal intervention study enrolled 108 patients who received UPPP for OSA. Patients who reported TD in the postoperative questionnaire were examined using the three-drop-method gustatory function test (GFT). RESULTS: The GFT revealed that 5 patients (4.6%) reporting TD lost at least one of the four basic tastes 3 months after surgery. Deficiency of sweet sense was the most common type of TD (80%). The use of electrocautery for developing the uvulopalatal flap was the only significant predictor that may attribute to TD (odds ratio: 14.1). Repeating the GFT 9 months after operation showed a restoration of tastes in 4 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Development of the uvulopalatal flap using electrocautery may increase the likelihood of postoperative TD. Patients with taste disturbance after UPPP may eventually recover their taste function over time.