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The Cleft Palate-craniofacial Journal :... Jul 2021Ankyloglossia superior syndrome is an extremely rare entity in which centrally located glossopalatine ankylosis is a principal feature. Some cases are accompanied by... (Review)
Review
Ankyloglossia superior syndrome is an extremely rare entity in which centrally located glossopalatine ankylosis is a principal feature. Some cases are accompanied by cleft palate, micrognathia, or tongue hypoplasia, and affected patients need careful nutritional and respiratory support. We describe a newborn girl in whom ankyloglossia superior syndrome comprised complex craniofacial malformations, including cleft palate, micrognathia, microglossia, and natal teeth as well as limb anomalies. Surgical treatment entailed release of synechiae, and glossopexy was performed successfully to prevent postsurgical airway complications and to ensure adequate nutrition by nipple feeding during infancy.
Topics: Ankyloglossia; Cleft Palate; Craniofacial Abnormalities; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Mobius Syndrome; Tongue
PubMed: 33043685
DOI: 10.1177/1055665620964028 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Jul 2023To investigate the prevalence and management of ankyloglossia for infants in Central Australia.
PURPOSE
To investigate the prevalence and management of ankyloglossia for infants in Central Australia.
METHOD
Retrospective chart review consisting of a medical file audit of infants (n = 493) <2 years old diagnosed with ankyloglossia from January 2013 to December 2018 in the primary hospital in Central Australia. Patient characteristics, reason for diagnosis, reason for procedure and outcomes of procedures routinely recorded in the patient clinical files were recorded.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence of ankyloglossia in this population was 10.2%. Frenotomy was performed in 97.9% of infants diagnosed with ankyloglossia. Infants with ankyloglossia were more likely to be male (58% vs 42%), diagnosed and managed with a frenotomy on the third day of life. Most ankyloglossia diagnoses were identified by a midwife (>92%). Most frenotomy procedures were completed by lactation consultants who were also midwives (99%) using blunt-ended scissors. More infants were classified with posterior ankyloglossia than anterior ankyloglossia (23% vs 15%). A frenotomy procedure resolved feeding issues in 54% of infants with ankyloglossia.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of ankyloglossia and rate of frenotomy procedures were high when compared to previous reports in the general population. Frenotomy for ankyloglossia in infants with breastfeeding difficulties was found to be effective in more than half of the reported sample, improving breastfeeding and decreasing maternal nipple pain. A standardised approach and validated screening or comprehensive assessment tool for the identification of ankyloglossia is indicated. Guidelines and training for relevant health professionals on non-surgical management of the functional limitations of ankyloglossia are also recommended.
Topics: Female; Infant; Humans; Male; Child, Preschool; Ankyloglossia; Lingual Frenum; Retrospective Studies; Prevalence; Treatment Outcome; Breast Feeding; Australia
PubMed: 37224737
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2023.111604 -
Journal of Periodontology Aug 2009The objective of this study was to systematically review the diagnostic criteria, indications, and need for treatment of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie), as well as the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to systematically review the diagnostic criteria, indications, and need for treatment of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie), as well as the various treatment options for patients in different age groups.
METHODS
The MEDLINE databases and the Cochrane Library were searched according to well-defined criteria, resulting in 64 included articles. The evidence regarding the classifications of tongue-tie, epidemiologic data, inheritance, breastfeeding problems, impaired tongue mobility, speech disorders, malocclusion, gingival recessions, therapy, and complications due to surgery was analyzed in detail.
RESULTS
Different classifications for ankyloglossia have been proposed but not uniformly accepted. Breastfeeding problems in neonates could be associated with a tongue-tie, but not enough controlled trials have been performed to identify an ideal treatment option. In children and adults with ankyloglossia, limitations in tongue mobility are present, but the individual degree of discomfort, as well as the severity of an associated speech problem, are subjective and difficult to categorize. There is no evidence supporting the development of gingival recessions because of ankyloglossia. Frenotomy, frenectomy, and frenuloplasty are the main surgical treatment options to release/remove an ankyloglossia. Because of the limited evidence available, no specific surgical method can be favored.
CONCLUSIONS
The lack of an accepted definition and classification of ankyloglossia makes comparisons between studies almost impossible. Because almost no controlled prospective trials for surgical interventions in patients with tongue-ties are present in the literature, no conclusive suggestions regarding the method of choice can be made. It also remains controversial which tongue-ties need to be surgically removed and which can be left to observation.
Topics: Adult; Breast Feeding; Child; Gingival Recession; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Lingual Frenum; Malocclusion; Speech Disorders; Tongue; Tongue Diseases
PubMed: 19656020
DOI: 10.1902/jop.2009.090086 -
Paediatrics & Child Health May 2015Ankyloglossia ('tongue-tie') is a relatively common congenital anomaly characterized by an abnormally short lingual frenulum, which may restrict tongue tip mobility....
Ankyloglossia ('tongue-tie') is a relatively common congenital anomaly characterized by an abnormally short lingual frenulum, which may restrict tongue tip mobility. There is considerable controversy regarding its diagnosis, clinical significance and management, and there is wide variation in practice in this regard. Most infants with ankyloglossia are asymptomatic and do not exhibit feeding problems. Based on available evidence, frenotomy cannot be recommended for all infants with ankyloglossia. There may be an association between ankyloglossia and significant breastfeeding difficulties in some infants. This subset of infants may benefit from frenotomy (the surgical division of the lingual frenulum). When an association between significant tongue-tie and major breastfeeding problems is clearly identified and surgical intervention is deemed to be necessary, frenotomy should be performed by a clinician experienced with the procedure and using appropriate analgesia. More definitive recommendations regarding the management of tongue-tie in infants await clear diagnostic criteria and appropriately designed trials.
PubMed: 26038641
DOI: 10.1093/pch/20.4.209 -
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology &... May 1991We observed ankyloglossia to be usually accompanied by displacement of the epiglottis and larynx. Infants with this disease developed dyspnea and skin and hair... (Review)
Review
We observed ankyloglossia to be usually accompanied by displacement of the epiglottis and larynx. Infants with this disease developed dyspnea and skin and hair abnormalities. In addition, they had other symptoms, such as a dark forehead, a frowning expression, a dark color around the lips, scanty eyebrows, swelling around the palpebrae, harsh respiratory sounds, hard crying, snoring, and frequent yawning. In spite of these abnormalities, they had been considered to be healthy by their pediatricians. Arterial oxygen percent saturation (SaO2) was measured while the infants were asleep, suckling, and awake. The results revealed that their SaO2 was unstable and slightly low. The symptoms and signs of this disease were very similar to those observed in victims of sudden infant death syndrome before their death. Correction of the ankyloglossia and deviation of the epiglottis and larynx resulted in great improvement of these signs as well as a stabilization and increase of SaO2.
Topics: Cyanosis; Dyspnea; Epiglottis; Female; Hair; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Laryngoscopy; Larynx; Lingual Frenum; Male; Oxygen; Sucking Behavior; Sudden Infant Death; Tongue
PubMed: 2024905
DOI: 10.1177/00034894911000s501 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2022Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, is the most common disorder of tongue morphology characterized by aberrant attachment of the lingual frenum. This study... (Review)
Review
Ankyloglossia, commonly known as tongue-tie, is the most common disorder of tongue morphology characterized by aberrant attachment of the lingual frenum. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive literature review and evaluate the effectiveness of various laser wavelengths in the surgical treatment of patients with ankyloglossia. An electronic screening of PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases was conducted on 8 November 2021. The following search terms were used to review the available data on the subject of interest: (ankyloglossia OR tongue tie OR short lingual frenulum OR lingual frenectomy OR lingual frenulectomy OR lingual frenotomy OR lingual frenulotomy) AND laser. The use of lasers in ankyloglossia treatment resulted in shorter procedure time, reduced indications for general anesthesia, reduced administration of postoperative analgesics, fewer sutures or none needed, reduced postoperative bleeding, and improved healing. Despite many advantages, this method has its clinical limitations: it requires the use of expensive equipment; well-trained personnel familiar with lasers; and personal protective equipment for the patient, caregiver, operator, and assistant. The laser procedure does not eliminate the need for myofunctional exercises and work with a speech therapist.
PubMed: 35455049
DOI: 10.3390/life12040558 -
Breastfeeding Medicine : the Official... Jan 2024The prevalence of ankyloglossia and its impact on breastfeeding practices may be overestimated, leading to surgical overtreatment in newborns. The study was conducted...
The prevalence of ankyloglossia and its impact on breastfeeding practices may be overestimated, leading to surgical overtreatment in newborns. The study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of ankyloglossia in the first year of life and investigate the association with exclusive and total breastfeeding duration in different regions of Brazil. This multicenter prospective cohort study involved the recruitment of mother-infant pairs soon after childbirth in public hospitals in three state capitals in Brazil. Interviews were held with the mothers after birth, at 6 and 12 months to collect sociodemographic variables and data on exclusive and total breastfeeding duration. At 12 months of age, the children were submitted to a dental examination for classification of the lingual frenulum using the Bristol Tongue Assessment Tool. Data analysis involved Poisson regression with robust variance, with the calculation of unadjusted and adjusted relative risk (RR). The final sample was composed of 293 children. The prevalence of defined and suspected ankyloglossia was 1% and 4.8%, respectively, totaling 5.8% (confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.1-8.5). No significant difference was found in the prevalence of exclusive and total breastfeeding at 1, 4, and 6 months between children with defined/suspected ankyloglossia and those without ankyloglossia. The multivariable analysis showed that the probability of the child achieving 6 months of breastfeeding did not differ between groups (RR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.79-1.23; = 0.907). The prevalence of defined ankyloglossia was very low and defined/suspected ankyloglossia was not associated with exclusive or total breastfeeding duration. Registered with clinicaltrials.gov (n° NCT03841123).
Topics: Infant; Female; Child; Infant, Newborn; Humans; Ankyloglossia; Breast Feeding; Cohort Studies; Prospective Studies; Lingual Frenum; Prevalence
PubMed: 38241126
DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2023.0182 -
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and... Sep 1959
Topics: Ankyloglossia; Humans; Mouth Abnormalities; Speech; Speech Disorders; Tongue
PubMed: 13839768
DOI: 10.1097/00006534-195909000-00006 -
Paediatrics & Child Health Apr 2011Ankyloglossia (or tongue-tie) is a relatively uncommon congenital anomaly defined by an abnormally short lingual frenulum. Associations between tongue-tie and...
Ankyloglossia (or tongue-tie) is a relatively uncommon congenital anomaly defined by an abnormally short lingual frenulum. Associations between tongue-tie and breastfeeding problems in infants have been inconsistent, and are a longstanding source of controversy in the medical community. Definitions of ankyloglossia vary, and management suggestions are not based on randomized controlled trials. Surgical correction involves cutting the lingual frenulum (frenotomy). Based on current available evidence, frenotomy cannot be recommended. If, however, the association between significant tongue-tie and major breastfeeding problems is clearly identified and surgical intervention is deemed necessary, frenotomy should be performed by a clinician experienced with the procedure and with appropriate analgesia. More definitive recommendations regarding the management of tongue-tie in infants await appropriately designed trials.
PubMed: 22468126
DOI: 10.1093/pch/16.4.222a