Novel treatment of first bite syndrome using botulinum toxin type A

First bite syndrome is the development of pain in the parotid region after the first bite of each meal and can be seen after surgery of the parapharyngeal space. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of intraglandular injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTA) in patients with first bite syndrome.

Five patients with first bite syndrome developed after head and neck surgery were treated by injection of BTA into parotid gland. All patients completed a 4-item quality-of-life survey with a 10-point response scale designed to measure outcome of intraglandular injection of BTA.

The first bite syndrome without or with sialogogue and degree of interference with daily activity with or without eating or drinking improved significantly at 1 and 3 month after injection (p < .05).

The BTA injection into affected parotid gland produces a decrease in the severity of first bite syndrome and improves the patient's quality of life.