What is first bite syndrome after carotid endarterectomy?

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asked Jan 5 in Other- Health by Tookwabbit (580 points)
What is first bite syndrome after carotid endarterectomy?

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answered Jan 5 by fudgebudge (8,380 points)
The first bite syndrome after carotid endarterectomy is a rare complication that occurs after a carotid endarterectomy that causes a person to experience sharp and intense pain in their parotid gland area near the ear when taking the first bite of a meal.

The pain with first bite syndrome reduces significantly with subsequent bites.

The first bite syndrome is said to be caused by damage to your sympathetic nerve supply to your parotid gland during the surgery.

This leads to hypersensitivity in the gland when it's stimulated by chewing.

Carotid endarterectomy is major surgery.

Carotid endarterectomy is a complex procedure that involves the removal of plaque also known as fatty deposits from your carotid artery.

The carotid artery supplies blood to your brain.

And the carotid endarterectomy surgery is performed under general anesthesia and you will need to stay in the hospital afterwards for a few days depending on how quickly you recover.

Carotid endarterectomy is a very safe procedure although it also carries some risks.

The 2 main risks that are associated with a carotid endarterectomy are stroke and death as a result of heart attack or the stroke.

The risk of a stroke after a carotid endarterectomy is around 2 percent and the risk of death after a carotid endarterectomy is less than 1 percent.

When having carotid endarterectomy surgery you will either be given a numbing medication or given general anesthesia that puts you to sleep.

The surgeon will then make a cut along the front of the neck and open up your carotid artery and remove the plaque deposits that are clogging the carotid artery.

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