Evaluation of taste after underlay technique myringoplasty using whole-mouth gustatory test: smokers versus non-smokers.

The aim of this prospective non-randomized study was to evaluate the alterations in taste sensation after myringoplasty and to investigate the influence of smoking on taste. Ninety-six patients who underwent myringoplasty and 43 healthy controls were examined. Whole-mouth gustatory test solutions were sucrose (sweet); sodium chloride (salty taste); citrate (sour) taste; and quinine hydrochloride (bitter). Sucrose, citric acid, and sodium chloride recognition thresholds were high in the early postoperative period; however, they were regressed to the preoperative status in course of time. No difference was found between preoperative, early/late postoperative taste recognition thresholds of smoker and non-smoker patients. Underlay myringoplasty has little but transient effect on taste recognition in the early postoperative period. This impairment is completely recovered within 6 months. Furthermore, smoking has no effect on the taste recognition of patients with permanent tympanic membrane perforation and has no influence on the alterations in taste recognition thresholds after myringoplasty. We believe that this study will supply some additional aspects in the scope of taste disturbances due to ear surgery and smoking.