Management of tongue-tie in children: a survey of paediatric surgeons in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the beliefs and practices of Australian surgeons regarding surgical intervention to release tongue-tie and to determine the main referral sources. In addition, we aimed to ascertain if there were differences in beliefs and practices according to surgical specialty.


METHODS
Four hundred surgeons in three different surgical specialties were surveyed via questionnaire. Multiple choice response questions and open ended questions were used to explore beliefs and practices surrounding tongue-tie assessment, management and follow up. The questionnaires were distributed by email (where available), followed by fax and mail.


RESULTS
A response rate of 80.8% (n = 323) was obtained. Of these, 236 (73%) reported they practised surgery to release tongue-tie; 46% were oral and maxillofacial surgeons, 37% were plastic surgeons and 17% were paediatric general surgeons. Indications for surgical management and follow up varied according to surgical specialty. There was no clear consensus regarding clinical indicators for surgery or functional outcomes following surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
It appears that until a prospective study designed to address some of the controversial issues outlined is undertaken, we will remain ignorant about the need for surgery to release tongue-tie in children.
School of Human Communication Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Brinkmann
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Reilly
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Meara
D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008035:Lingual Frenum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome