Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2012 Jun;55(6):346-349. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2012.55.6.346.

Timing of Sequential Bilateral Mastoidectomy and Functional Recovery with Respect to Taste

• Ko BY
• Choi JS
• Choi H
• Kim KS

• KMID: 2277358
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2012.55.6.346

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
After bilateral mastoidectomy, taste change is common because of injury to chorda tympani nerve. We aimed to understand about the appropriate interval of sequential bilateral mastoidectomy.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
Retrospective review was carried out for 25 patients who underwent sequential bilateral mastoidectomy from March 2004 to November 2011.
RESULTS
Among the 25 patients, there were 19 patients whose chorda tympani nerve was injured after bilateral mastoidectomy, and eight of those 19 patients complained of taste disturbance. The rates of dysfunction according to operation interval were within 6 month (55%, 5/9), between 6 and 12 months (33%, 2/6), and above 12 months (10%, 1/10). Compared to canal wall up mastoidectomy, for canal wall down mastoidectomy, taste disturbance was more common (p=0.001).
CONCLUSION
The result supports that at least 6 months interoperative period for bilateral chronic otitis media may be needed to avoid taste disturbance. A further large study may validate this result.

Keyword

Chorda tympani nerve; Dysgeusia; Interoperative period

MeSH Terms

Chorda Tympani Nerve
Dysgeusia
Humans
Otitis Media
Retrospective Studies