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Review of tongue‐tie release at a tertiary maternity hospital
Author(s) -
Amir Lisa Helen,
James Jennifer Patricia,
Beatty Joanne
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2005.00603.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tongue , tertiary care , general surgery , pathology
Objective: To review the first 12 months of assessment and release of lingual frenulum (frenotomy) at a breast‐feeding clinic in a tertiary maternity hospital (August 2002 to end of July 2003) and to report on the breast‐feeding outcomes and parental satisfaction. Methods: A structured telephone interview was conducted with the mother at least 3 months after the assessment. Data were collected about the presenting problem and the effect of release of the tongue‐tie (if performed). Parents were also asked about their satisfaction with the procedure and of problems following the release. Results: Sixty‐six babies were assessed in 12 months. If infants were assessed as: (i) having impaired lingual function (using the Hazelbaker assessment tool for lingual frenulum function); (ii) the frenulum visualized to be a thin membrane; and (iii) the parent(s) gave informed consent, the frenulum was released. Initial and follow‐up data are available on 46 infants. Infants had a mean age of 18 days (range 3–98), 63% were male infants and most had difficulties with attachment to the breast. Frenotomy was performed on 35 infants and breast‐feeding improved in 83%. Parents reported high levels of satisfaction with the frenotomy procedure and no complications were reported. Conclusion: Frenotomy is a safe and easy procedure. Infants with a significant tongue‐tie that is interfering with breast‐feeding have shown an improvement with breast‐feeding following frenotomy.