Parent-reported infant and maternal symptom relief following frenotomy in infants with tongue-tie.

INTRODUCTION

A tightening of the lingual frenulum may cause breastfeeding difficulties. Surgical release of the restricted frenulum is accomplished by a frenotomy. Between 2015 and 2019, frenotomy procedures in Danish primary healthcare doubled. Causality has not previously been established. The primary aim of this study was to investigate infant/maternal symptom relief and parent satisfaction following frenotomy and discuss potential causes for the increasing frenotomy frequency in Danish infants.

METHODS

Between April 2019 and April 2020, 230 breastfed infants less-than 12 months had a frenotomy performed in three private ENT clinics. Parents of 163 infants participated in a phone interview.

RESULTS

A moderate to high degree of symptom relief was reported in 138 (85%) infants and 127 (78%) mothers. If more than one preoperative symptom was reported, post-operative infant/maternal symptom relief increased significantly, and maternal symptom alleviation occurred more quickly. Also, infant and maternal symptom relief increased significantly when "infant breastfeeding difficulty" or "maternal nibble/breast pain during breastfeeding" was reported preoperatively. Most parents (95%) would have a frenotomy performed on their child again under similar circumstances.

CONCLUSIONS

Most parents reported a moderate to high degree of infant and maternal symptom relief following frenotomy. Parent satisfaction was compelling. A uniform assessment tool may sharpen diagnostic criteria and eventually stabilise the frenotomy frequency in Danish infants.

FUNDING

none.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

not relevant.