First-bite syndrome: a review of 29 patients with parapharyngeal space tumor

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to clarify the etiology of first-bite syndrome.

Methods: A total of 29 consecutive patients treated with a surgical resection for parapharyngeal space tumor between April 1999 and April 2005 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Nine cases of first-bite syndrome were developed. Eight of those patients had undergone surgical ablation of the cervical sympathetic chain and/or external carotid artery. In two patients who underwent ablation of the sympathetic chain but in whom first-bite syndrome did not develop, the superior cervical ganglion was probably preserved.

Conclusion: The present findings strongly indicate that loss of sympathetic innervation to the parotid gland from the superior cervical ganglion causes first-bite syndrome. They also suggest that some residual or autonomous activity of the superior cervical ganglion could prevent development of first-bite syndrome even if the lower sympathetic trunk was ablated.