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Postoperative alterations in taste and smell.
Kelly Galina Elterman1, Seshagiri Rao Mallampati1, Alan David Kaye2
1Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA.
Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
|January 20, 2015
Summary
Anesthesia can cause temporary taste and smell loss, like anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste). Symptoms usually resolve as sensory cells regenerate, but awareness is key for patient care.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Neuroscience
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Alterations in taste and smell (anosmia, ageusia) are rare but significant side effects of certain medications, including anesthetic agents.
- These sensory disturbances can manifest 1-2 weeks post-administration and persist for months, impacting patient quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on taste and smell dysfunction following anesthesia.
- To identify anesthetic agents and perioperative factors associated with these sensory changes.
- To provide recommendations for anesthesiologists regarding patient management.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE and Cochrane databases.
- Keywords included anosmia, ageusia, olfactory disorders, postoperative, and anesthesia.
- Review of case reports and physiological mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Several case reports link anesthesia to temporary olfactory and gustatory disorders.
- The review covers the physiology of smell and taste and associated medications.
- Perioperative agents potentially causing postoperative anosmia and ageusia are described.
Conclusions:
- Anesthesiologists should be aware of taste and smell alterations as a potential postoperative complication.
- Symptoms are typically temporary due to sensory receptor cell regeneration.
- Awareness allows for patient reassurance and potential avoidance of implicated anesthetic techniques.
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