Side effects after surgical treatment of snoring.

In a questionnaire study detailed side effects after snoring surgery were examined in 415 individuals 2-8 years after surgery. Three years later a new questionnaire was answered by those with side effects affecting taste, smell and voice (n = 74). At the first follow-up 255 had side effects of globus, regurgitation, taste, smell and voice. The globus was the most common (40%). In all spheres except the globus, a significant improvement was seen 3 years later. However, pharyngeal dryness and phlegm had a reported frequency of nearly 60%. No significant differences were seen between the uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and laser uvulopalatoplasty methods. Taste disturbances might be due to surgical damage to the nerves or oral dryness. The olfactory impairment present in 7 patients still needs to be explained. Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel