Frenotomy for tongue‐tie (frenulum linguae breve) showed improved symptoms in the short‐ and long‐term follow‐up

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate clinical manifestations of tongue-tie as well as short-term and long-term outcomes following frenotomy.Methods: In this retrospective study, for 329 patients (295 infants and 34 children) who underwent frenotomy between 2011 and 2017, symptoms, short-term and long-term outcomes were evaluated.Results: Of the 295 infants (median age six weeks), 199 (=60%) showed inadequate breastfeeding. Symptoms were painful or sore maternal nipples, poor weight gain, dribbling milk from the corner of the mouth, reduced milk supply, inadequate latch during bottlefeeding and maternal mastitis. In the 34 children, predominant symptoms were articulation disorders, misaligned teeth and problems with swallowing solid food. Of the 141 patients with short-term feedback, 86% reported improvement, 13% an unchanged situation. In a former premature, the reported worsening of symptoms ('breath spells') are likely related to prematurity. Of the 164 patients where the questionnaire for long-term outcome was provided, 82% reported improvement, 16% an unchanged situation. For two infants worsening was reported, referring to refusal to drink from breast or bottle for two hours after the procedure and fever for one day, respectively.Conclusion: Frenulum breve is a potential cause of breastfeeding difficulties and can be treated safely and efficiently by frenotomy.

Quantitative imaging of tongue kinematics during infant feeding and adult swallowing reveals highly conserved patterns

“…Lingual frenotomy is a minor surgical procedure in which an incision in the frenulum releases the excess tethering of the tongue. Numerous prospective, retrospective, and randomized controlled studies, all based on subjective observations, have reported improvement in breastfeeding outcomes after lingual frenotomy (Bellinger et al, 2018; Berry et al, 2012; Buryk et al, 2011; Dollberg et al, 2014; Emond et al, 2014; Geddes, Langton, et al, 2008; Ghaheri et al, 2017; Ramoser et al, 2019). The complexity of tongue development and its functional role during breastfeeding led to controversies regarding diagnostic criteria, treatment indications, interventions (e.g., frenotomy), as well as the monitoring and evaluation of clinical interventions.…”

The effect of ankyloglossia and tongue‐tie division on speech articulation: A systematic review

“…After the titles and abstracts were identified, the full text of 24 articles was extracted for detailed reading to make a final decision. Eight articles were excluded as four studies only reported the composition ratios of the articulation symptoms among the patients with ankyloglossia 28‐31 . Two studies lacked available data on language‐related outcomes, 32,33 whereas one assessed speech disorders as a postoperative complication 34 .…”

Highlights in this issue

“…A follow‐up study by Ramoser et al looked at all 329 patients who underwent a frenotomy at the Medical University Hospital of Innsbruck between 2011 and 2017. The findings showed that frenotomy for tongue tie improved symptoms in both the short and long terms and that the intervention was safe …”