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.
Keywords: chemosensory functions; functional outcome; glossectomy; head and neck surgery; taste.
© 2022 The Authors. The Laryngoscope published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.