CONCLUSION: Quantitative gustatory alterations are rare after microlaryngoscopy (MLS), whereas transient qualitative taste distortions occur more often. Patients undergoing MLS should know that mild but transient qualitative taste disorders may occur.

OBJECTIVE: Suspension MLS requires neck extension and tongue compression. Little is known about taste disorders following MLS. To investigate qualitative and quantitative gustatory function after MLS we tested and questioned patients before and several weeks after the MLS.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective controlled study carried out in a tertiary care centre. Forty-three patients participated, 33 of whom underwent MLS and 10 septoplasty. Tongue compression time was recorded during MLS. Patients received taste evaluation before and at 1 and 14 days after the intervention. Patients were asked to indicate subjectively changed taste perceptions.

RESULTS: Psychophysical (quantitative) taste results showed no significant differences before and at 1 and 14 days after the intervention (p = 0.60). Tongue compression time (MLS group) had no influence on measured post-MLS taste scores. In the MLS group four patients reported distorted taste perception the day after the MLS, whereas no patient in the septoplasty group did so. In all, four patients distorted taste perception, had disappeared after 14 days.