Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To investigate prospectively the clinical manifestations and the functional recovery of taste after section of chorda tympani nerve ( CTN) during middle ear surgery, the subjective and objective study on the patients was performed. METHODS: Thirty-five patients underwent surgery with unilateral (n=32) or bilateral (n=3) section of CTN between January 2000 and April 2002. The patients were asked about taste symptoms before surgery and 2 weeks and 2 years after surgery. The CTN function was also measured with electrogustometry (EGM) at the same time points. RESULTS: In unilateral section of CTN, 19/32 (59.4%) complained of taste disorder and 11/32 (34.4%) tongue numbness. Most of these taste symptoms disappeared within 2 years although the EGM threshold did not recover. 16/17 patients (94.1%) who used to cook everyday had little difficulty in flavoring dishes. In bilateral section of CTN, the patients had no problem of taste at 2 years after surgery, either. CONCLUSION: These findings help explain the potential complications to the patients before surgery, although the number of cases was small in this series.
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Authors | Tomomi Nin, Masafumi Sakagami, Mieko Sone-Okunaka, Toshihiko Muto, Yasuo Mishiro, Keijiro Fukazawa |
Journal | Auris, nasus, larynx
(Auris Nasus Larynx)
Vol. 33
Issue 1
Pg. 13-7
(Mar 2006)
ISSN: 0385-8146 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 16171963
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Child
- Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear
(surgery)
- Chorda Tympani Nerve
(surgery)
- Ear, Middle
(surgery)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Humans
- Hypesthesia
(etiology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Otitis Media
(surgery)
- Postoperative Complications
- Prospective Studies
- Recovery of Function
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Taste Disorders
(etiology)
- Tongue
(innervation)
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