Division of tongue tie as an outpatient procedure. Technique, efficacy and safety.

OBJECTIVES

Assessment of the clinical presentations and the outcome of tongue tie division under local anesthesia.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

SETTING

Glan Clwyd Hospital.

INTERVENTION: All babies had tongue tie division in the ENT outpatient clinic under local anaesthesia between May 2010 and June 2011. Preoperative symptoms and parents' feedback were determined using questionnaires based on NICE guidelines.

RESULTS

63 infants had tongue tie division in outpatient clinic. Average age of the procedure was 4.1 weeks. Before the procedure, 66.7% of babies had difficulty in breast-feeding. 11.1% had poor growth. 22.2% had limitation in tongue movement. 27.7% of the mothers had breast problems such as cracking and soreness of the nipples. All the preoperative problems were resolved in 98.4%. 77.1% of parents' comments were positive. They described procedure as quick with minimal distress. 88.9% had no complications following division of tongue tie.

CONCLUSION

Tongue tie division is a simple procedure with minimal complications. It can be undertaken under local anesthesia within first 3 months of life in the outpatient environment. Timely diagnosis, referral and treatment can make a difference in breast-feeding and weight gain.