Effect of pharyngoplasty on olfactory and taste function in treating obstructive sleep apnea / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of pharyngoplasty on olfactory and taste function in treating obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).@*METHOD@#Thirty-nine patients accepted pharyngoplasty for treating OSAHS from April 2005 to December 2005 who complained of olfactory and/or taste disturbances were analyzed in this study.@*RESULT@#Four cases complained of taste disturbances , among them, one case complained of disturbance. The 1st case complained of hyposmia, complete taste loss of sour and salty and partial taste loss of sweet. The 2nd case complained of partial taste loss of sour, sweet, salty and bitter. The 3rd case complained of partial taste loss of sour. The 4th case complained of phantogeusia who had sour and bitter sensation in phlegm.@*CONCLUSION@#The olfactory and/or taste disturbances may be complications of pharyngoplasty. Surgeons should be careful during the operation to avoid the damage of olfactory and taste function.