Taste disturbance after tonsillectomy.

Of the 3583 outpatients treated at our taste disorder clinic over a period of 15 years, 11 (0.31%) complained of taste disorder after tonsillectomy. The cause of taste disorder was identified in 8 of the 11 cases: in 3 cases it was caused by direct or indirect damage to the lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve; in 2 cases it was attributable to medication taken by the patient after tonsillectomy; and in 3 cases taste disturbance was caused by a lack of dietary zinc, even though this was identified at the time of tonsillectomy. These findings indicate the importance of (i) informing patients when consent for tonsillectomy is obtained that there is a risk of postoperative taste disorder; (ii) measuring the patient's taste threshold and serum zinc level preoperatively; and (iii) obtaining a thorough drug history, including details of non-prescription medications habitually taken by the patient.