A rare presentation of recurrent tongue tie

Abstract

Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie is the result of a short, tight, lingual frenulum causing difficulty in speech articulation due to limitation in tongue movement. Ankyloglossia is a common finding in infants. Prevalence ranges between 4.2% and 10.7%. Although lingual frenectomy is a common technique it is a sensitive surgical procedure, the anatomic and topographic lingual frenulum makes the site vulnerable to various intraoperative and postoperative complications. In this case study, we have reported a 2-year-old male child with prior history of a frenectomy, presented with difficulty in speech and restricted tongue movements. On examination, a 1x1cm, solitary swelling was noted in the region of the lingual frenulum, firm, cystic, and non-tender. Tongue movements were restricted with an inability to perform protrusion beyond the vermillion border of the lips.Under general anesthesia, the child underwent revision frenectomy, excision of the swelling, and release of fibrous tissue adjacent to the swelling .Intraoperatively protrusion of the tongue was examined and found to have improved .The specimen was sent for histopathology which was reported as organizing mucocele. The Child was reviewed after 6 months, tongue movements were seen to have improved substantially in all ranges of motion.