Chemosensory Functions After Glossectomy—A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Stefan Grasl - , Medical University of Vienna (Author)
  • Stefan Janik - , Medical University of Vienna (Author)
  • Stephanie Wiederstein - , Medical University of Vienna (Author)
  • Georg Haymerle - , Medical University of Vienna (Author)
  • Bertold Renner - , Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)
  • Christan A. Mueller - , Medical University of Vienna (Author)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate potential interactions and compensatory mechanisms of subjectively impaired taste function with ortho- and retronasal olfaction after glossectomy. Study Design: In this cross-sectional pilot study, chemosensory functions were assessed in 25 patients with tongue carcinomas after glossectomy. The orthonasal-, retronasal-, and gustatory functions were tested with a mean time of 25 months after surgery with the Sniffin’ Sticks odor identification test kit (ISST), the Candy Smell-27 test (CST-27) and the Taste strip test (TST). Visual analog scales (VAS) were additionally used for self-assessment of taste, flavor perception, and odor ranging from 0 (no perception) to 10 (excellent perception) and further correlated with our psychophysical evaluated outcome measures. Results: The TST, ISST, and CST-27 tests revealed that only eight (32%) and 13 (52%) glossectomy patients had normal taste and orthonasal function, e 21 (84%) patients showed normal retronasal function. Importantly, neither extent of resection and reconstruction nor prior radiotherapy affected chemosensory functions. Contrary, 20 (80%) patients rated their taste and flavor perception as acceptable (VAS >5). Results of the TST, ISST, and CST-27 tests did not correlate with the equivalent self-assessments of taste (p = 0.260, r = 0.234), odor (p = 0.588, r = −0.114), and flavor (p = 0.728, r = 0.073) perception. Conclusion: There was a significant discrepancy between self-perception of taste and flavor and assessed gustatory function after glossectomy. A contribution of the intact retronasal olfactory system could be a possible explanation of our results. Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 133:375–382, 2023.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)375-382
Number of pages8
JournalLaryngoscope
Volume133
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 36254878
WOS 000869066000001
ORCID /0000-0003-0845-6793/work/139025177

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • chemosensory functions, functional outcome, glossectomy, head and neck surgery, taste, Glossectomy, Chemosensory functions, Taste, Head and neck surgery, Functional outcome, Cross-Sectional Studies, Humans, Olfaction Disorders, Smell, Pilot Projects