Chemical, Electrical and Tactile Sensitivity Changes After Middle Ear Surgery.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Neuroscience
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Middle ear surgery can damage the chorda tympani nerve, leading to taste disturbances.
• Post-surgical taste loss may be accompanied by reduced tactile sensitivity.
• The impact on oral processing senses requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify changes in electrical, chemical, and tactile sensitivity after middle ear surgery.
• To assess olfactory function following middle ear procedures.
• To evaluate the recovery patterns of taste and touch sensation over time.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study design.
• Sensitivity thresholds measured using electrogustometry, taste strips, Sniffin' Sticks, and Von Frey Hairs.
• Measurements taken pre-surgery and at approximately 5 and 23 days post-surgery.

Main Results:

• A decline in both chemical and electrical taste responses was observed.
• Electrical taste response showed greater sensitivity to changes and no recovery.
• Mechanosensory function of the anterior tongue and olfactory function were not significantly affected.

Conclusions:

• Middle ear surgery alters taste responses, but not mechanosensory or olfactory function.
• Taste loss negatively impacts patients' quality of life.
• Gustometry is recommended for assessing taste function in patients post-middle ear surgery.