First-bite syndrome complicating carotid endarterectomy: a case report and literature review.

First-bite syndrome (FBS) is an infrequently encountered complication of parapharyngeal space surgery. Patients experience excruciating pain in the ipsiltateral parotid gland region at the first bite of each meal, which improves with subsequent mastication. This is thought to be due to parotid gland sympathetic denervation from surgery with resultant hypersensitivity to parasympathetic impulses.