The Comparison of Frenulotomy with Conventional Frenuloplasty in the Management of Breastfeeding Difficulty: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Abstract
Background: Tongue-tie is a congenital underdevelopment of the lingual frenulum and it results in decreased tongue tip mobility. Tongue-tie that is related to breastfeeding difficulty was determined to have benefit from surgical correction. The conventional frenuloplasty has been per formed under general anesthesia, although with satisfied results, the risk for anesthesia is still questioned.
Objective: To prove the efficacy of frenulotomy under local anesthesia in solving breastfeeding problems due to tongue-tie in the neonate compare with frenuloplasty under general anesthesia.
Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled study was conducted. All newborn in lactation clinic that had tongue-tie as the major cause of breastfeeding difficulties were randomized into 2 groups. Pre and post operative LATCH scores were evaluated. The increment of LATCH score indicates improvement in breastfeeding efficacy.
Results: From October 2002 to January 2003, 30 newborns were enrolled in this study. Mean increased score in frenuloplasty group was 3.07 and in frenulotomy group was 3. 13. There was no difference in increased LATCH score in both operations. No surgical complication was found in this study.
Conclusions: Frenulotomy under local anesthesia is as safe and effective procedure as frenuloplasty under general anesthesia for solving breastfeeding problems in neonate due to tongue-tie but has significant shorter time to resume breast feeding.
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