title: Benefits of frenulotomy in infants with ankyloglossia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ankyloglossia is a common, congenital abnormality often causing feeding difficulties in infants. This study aimed to evaluate indications and outcomes of frenulotomy performed in infants with ankyloglossia for breast-feeding difficulties.
  
  
  METHODS
  85 patients were prospectively identified as they underwent frenulotomy in Pinderfields Hospital ENT outpatient department between February 2008 and February 2011. 52 patients were successfully followed up with a telephone questionnaire about effects on breast-feeding and any complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All mothers had experienced problems breast-feeding prior to frenulotomy. Following frenulotomy 40/52 (77%) of mothers reported an improvement in breast-feeding within 2 weeks of the procedure. No complications were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the view that ankyloglossia is a common cause of breast-feeding difficulties. However the lack of universal improvement in breast-feeding following frenulotomy suggests that it is not the only cause of problems and supports the clinician approaching these situations holistically and exploring other causes.
authors: Pinderfields Hospital, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. neerajsethi@doctors.org.uk
authors: Neeraj
authors: N
authors: Sethi
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Smith
authors: Sahr
authors: S
authors: Kortequee
authors: Victoria M M
authors: VM
authors: Ward
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Clarke
mesh_terms: D000072676:Ankyloglossia; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008035:Lingual Frenum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D009056:Mouth Abnormalities / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome