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

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 bottle-feeding 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.