Surgical Techniques for the Treatment of Tongue Tie in Children: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Ankyloglossia is another name for tongue tie which in mild form is characterized by mucous membrane bands to complete ankyloglossia whereby the tongue is tethered to the floor of the mouth. It can affect feeding, speech, and oral hygiene as well as have mechanical/social effects. Ankyloglossia can also prevent the tongue from contacting the anterior palate. Methods: The study aimed to find out best possible surgical modality of frenectomy by comparing scalpel, electro-cautery and CO 2 laser in the treatment of tongue tie. This is a prospective randomized clinical trial conducted in the department of ENT, Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, Nanded, Maharashtra. All patients were categorized in to three groups randomly as group A, group B and group C. Each group contains 18 patients and among group A, B and C, frenectomy was done by conventional scalpel technique, by bipolar cautery and CO 2 laser respectively. Then patients were assessed on post op day 1 for symptomatology and inflammatory signs, on post op day 7 for wound healing and any complications and also after 1 month post-op for scar and contracture of wound. Results: In our study, about 61% of population is of male child and female child were remaining 39% (ratio 1.6:1) which is matching with the previous studies. Amongst all patients most common age group is between 1-4 years of age group. Most of the patients were in Kotlow’s class III having severe ankyloglossia (3‑7 mm) followed by class I having Mild ankyloglossia (12‑16 mm). Conclusions: Laser and electro-cautery treatment used for frenectomy operations provides better patient perception in terms of postoperative pain and function than that obtained by the scalpel technique.