Natasha Mirza
University of Pennsylvania, USA
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Surgery Curr Res
Background & Aim: First bite syndrome is the reported development of pain in the parotid region during mastication seen after parapharyngeal or deep parotid space surgery. Intraparotid injection of Botulinum Toxin A (BTA) has been suggested as an initial treatment for treatment of this phenomenon but there is little supporting literature to this effect. The purpose of this study is to catalog our experience using this treatment method for first bite syndrome. Methods: Five patients with first bite syndrome developed after head and neck surgery were treated by multi-site injection of BTA into the parotid gland. Between 17.5 and 50 total units of BTA were injected into 2 or more sites in the parotid region during each procedure. The patients were then subject to follow-up visits every 4 months. Results: 3 of 5 patients reported a significant improvement in symptoms during the 4 month follow-up visit though complete resolution was not reported. 2 of 5 patients returned for repeat injections for recurrent symptoms up to 1 year from the first injection. Conclusions: The BTA injection into the affected parotid gland produces a decrease in the severity of symptoms. It is a safe and viable non-invasive treatment for this difficult to treat diagnosis.
Email: natasha.mirza@uphs.upenn.edu
