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

Abstract

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.