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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
07:10
Taste Exam: A Brief and Validated Test
Published on: August 17, 2018
Taste function evaluation after tonsillectomy: a prospective study of 60 patients
Theodoros Stathas1, Antonios Mallis, Stephanos Naxakis
1ENT Department, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece. tstathas@yahoo.gr
Summary
Tonsillectomy can temporarily affect taste function, particularly bitter and sour sensations, due to potential nerve impacts. Most patients recover taste within two weeks, though rare persistent taste disturbances can occur.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Sensation Research
Background:
- Tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure for recurrent tonsillitis.
- Post-operative taste disturbances are considered rare complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate taste function changes following tonsillectomy.
- To compare taste function outcomes between two tonsillectomy techniques.
Main Methods:
- Sixty patients undergoing tonsillectomy were assessed using chemogustometry.
- Taste function was evaluated on postoperative days 1, 15, and 1 month.
- Two surgical techniques were compared: traditional dissection with electrocautery and tissue-welding technology.
Main Results:
- Taste recognition, especially for bitter and sour tastes in posterior tongue regions, was temporarily reduced post-surgery.
- Most patients experienced near-normal taste function within 15 days.
- Two patients had persistent taste disorders at 1 month; one recovered fully, the other did not.
- No significant difference in taste disturbance was observed between the two surgical methods.
Conclusions:
- Tonsillectomy can cause temporary taste dysfunction, likely due to glossopharyngeal or lingual nerve effects.
- Taste function typically returns to baseline within two weeks post-tonsillectomy.
- Patients should be counseled on the uncommon possibility of post-tonsillectomy taste disturbances.
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