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Iatrogenic injury of the chorda tympani: a systematic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2011

L J McManus ,
M D Stringer  and
P J D Dawes
L J McManus
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
M D Stringer
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy, Otago School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
P J D Dawes*
Affiliation:
Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
*
Address for correspondence: Associate Professor PJD Dawes, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Dunedin Hospital, Private Bag 1921, Dunedin, New Zealand Fax: +64 3 474 5496 E-mail: Patrick.Dawes@southerndhb.govt.nz
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Abstract

Objective:

To review the currently available literature on iatrogenic injury of the adult chorda tympani.

Design:

Systematic literature review.

Method

Five electronic databases and one search engine were used to access available English language literature on the chorda tympani, focusing on iatrogenic injury.

Results:

The chorda tympani is most often injured during middle-ear surgery, after which at least 15–22 per cent of patients experience symptoms, mostly changes in taste and dryness of the mouth. Numerous factors influence whether injury to the chorda tympani causes symptoms, including the extent of injury, type of surgery, age of the patient, anatomical variables and subjective adaptation. Although most patients experience gradual symptomatic recovery, complaints can be persistent and troublesome.

Conclusion:

Care should be taken to preserve the chorda tympani during middle-ear surgery, and to warn patients pre-operatively about this potential complication. This is particularly important if surgery is bilateral.

Keywords

Ear, MiddleChorda Tympani NerveOtologic Surgical ProceduresComplicationsGustation
Type
Review Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 1 , January 2012 , pp. 8 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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