First Bite Syndrome After Bilateral Temporomandibular Joint Replacement: Case Report

First bite syndrome (FBS) refers to intense pain in the parotid region, which coincides with the first bite of every meal, gradually subsides over the next several bites, but returns with the first bite of the next meal. The definitive diagnosis can be readily established by the characteristic onset of pain after the first bite of every meal. Pain is typically most intense at the first meal of the day, although some patients experience symptoms when thinking of food or salivating. FBS is a recognized complication of surgery within the parapharyngeal space; however, other surgical procedures involving the upper neck have been associated with this syndrome. The extreme rarity of FBS complicates a thorough understanding of its pathophysiology. Various medical agents have been used, with variable success, for the management of patients with FBS. Although proved effective, more radical treatment modalities are commonly reserved for persistent or refractory cases, because there is potential of spontaneous decrease in the severity of symptoms with time. This report describes the case of a patient presenting with symptoms of FBS after bilateral temporomandibular joint replacement. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of FBS in the literature occurring after temporomandibular joint replacement.