Postoperative taste and smell deficit after upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery-an unreported complication

• Published in: Journal of surgical oncology Vol. 82; no. 3; pp. 147 - 150
• Main Authors: Harris, Adrian M., Griffin, S. Michael
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.03.2003
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Esophageal Neoplasms - surgery; Esophagectomy - adverse effects; Female; gastrectomy; Gastrectomy - adverse effects; Humans; hypogeusia; hyposmia; Male; Middle Aged; oesophagectomy; Olfaction Disorders - etiology; Olfaction Disorders - pathology; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; smell; Stomach Neoplasms - surgery; taste; Taste Disorders - etiology; Taste Disorders - pathology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0022-4790; 1096-9098
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.10199

Background and Objectives Patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery were noted to suffer loss of taste and/or smell, a previously unreported problem. Our aim was to investigate the extent of this phenomenon, quantify recovery time, and identify potentially associated factors. Methods In this retrospective study, a postal questionnaire was sent to all patients still alive after oesophagectomy or gastrectomy, with a minimum 1‐year follow‐up and no clinical or radiological evidence of recurrence. Data were analysed for prevalence of deficit in relation to operation, age, sex, respiratory complications, and disease stage. Results A total of 109/119 (92%) patients completed the questionnaire: 50 gastrectomies and 69 oesophagectomies. Ten patients were excluded with prior sensory deficit. Overall, 45/99 patients (45%) suffered deficit (M:F = 1.6:1). No association was found with type of surgery: deficits for subtotal gastrectomy, total gastrectomy, and oesophagectomy were 44, 46 and 46% respectively (χ2 = 0.355, 2 df P > 0.5). No other parameter was associated, and full recovery occurred in 30 patients (67%) within a mean of 6 months. Conclusions Loss of taste and smell occurs in nearly one‐half of all cases after upper gastrointestinal surgery. The pathophysiology is unknown, but it resolves in most patients within 6–12 months. This complication should be discussed as part of informed consent for patients undergoing oesophagogastric cancer surgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2003;82:147–150. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.