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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Taste disturbance after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea
Hsueh-Yu Li1, Li-Ang Lee, Pa-Chun Wang
1Department of Otolaryngology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. hyli38@adm.cgmh.org.tw
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.
Ebm Rating:
C-4.
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