Frenectomy for the correction of ankyloglossia a review of clinical effectiveness and guidelines
It can be conducted using a laser, scalpel, or surgical scissors, and the laser procedure is suggested to be more accurate, and provide greater patient-perceived success, and hemostasis. Frenuloplasty (also called Z-plasty) is a type of tongue-tie release often conducted with anesthetic in which mor...
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| Format: | eBook |
| Language: | English |
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Ottawa (ON)
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
2016, 15 June 2016
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| Series: | Rapid response report: summery with critical appraisal
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | |
| Collection: | National Center for Biotechnology Information - Collection details see MPG.ReNa |
| Summary: | It can be conducted using a laser, scalpel, or surgical scissors, and the laser procedure is suggested to be more accurate, and provide greater patient-perceived success, and hemostasis. Frenuloplasty (also called Z-plasty) is a type of tongue-tie release often conducted with anesthetic in which more precise incisions and closure of the wound in a specific pattern occurs, with the aim of lengthening the anterior tongue. Simple release is a procedure in which the frenulum is detached without any wound closure or alteration, usually without anesthetic. Based on population data from British Columbia, the rate of frenotomy increased by 89% from 2004 to 2013, rising from 2.8 to 5.3 per 1000 live births. This suggests a possible increased awareness, interest in frenotomy, and increase in diagnostic capacity. There is disagreement across specialties regarding whether a tongue-tie should be divided to facilitate breastfeeding, and under what circumstances. Considering uncertainties regarding the clinical effectiveness and appropriateness of the procedure, and the development of new technologies and methods of conduct, this report aims to review the current clinical evidence regarding the effectiveness of frenectomy in newborns and infants with ankyloglossia, as well as evidence-based guideline recommendations for the use of this procedure One medical condition associated with breastfeeding problems is ankyloglossia, or tongue-tie, a congenital anomaly in which a child is born with an abnormally short and/or thick lingual frenulum that limits the movement of the tongue. It has been associated with difficulty breastfeeding due to trouble latching on, associated nipple pain, infection, and poor milk supply in mothers, as well as discontinuation of breastfeeding and inadequate weight gain and other health issues such as oral hygiene concerns, speech problems, and developmental and social consequences. Ankyloglossia has a hereditary link, but not all cases are explained by genetics. A review of studies reporting on prevalence of ankyloglossia in the United Kingdom and USA suggested that rates likely fall between 4 to 10%, occurring more commonly in males, though inconsistency in diagnostic procedures may contribute to variation in estimates. Ankyloglossia is not the only cause of breastfeeding issues, and in cases of comorbidities or alternative primary causes, frenectomy may not result in resolution. Un-split lingual frenulum may physically adapt (i.e., stretch with age) over time and breastfeeding quality may improve without intervention. The Canadian Paediatric Society has communicated that under most circumstances, tongue-tie is an incidental anatomical finding without significant consequences for the quality of breastfeeding, and that surgical intervention may not be warranted unless difficulty breastfeeding or other clinical concerns present themselves. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK released guidance in 2005 which reported that current evidence was suggestive of no major safety concerns with frenectomy, and that there was limited evidence that it might improve breastfeeding. There is no clinical standard for diagnosing ankyloglossia, but assessment tools such as the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (HATLFF), which is considered comprehensive, but difficult to use, and the Bristol Tongue Assessment Tool (BTAT), which is simpler and aims to ease implementation, are cited in the literature. Diagnoses may also be made using subjective clinical judgement by practitioners with varying levels of experience or expertise. The condition can entail mild immobility or be as severe as fusion of the entire tongue to the floor of the mouth. The condition can be anterior or posterior, and may be comorbid with other issues such as upper lip-tie. To correct ankyloglossia, splitting of the tongue-tie, termed frenectomy (also commonly referred to as frenotomy or frenulotomy), is often proposed. |
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| Item Description: | "CADTH Rapid Response Service." |
| Physical Description: | 1 PDF file (45 pages) illustrations |