CLINICAL EVALUATION AND SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF CONGENITAL SHORT FRENULUM OF THE TONGUE AND LIP: EFFECTIVENESS, OUTCOMES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Аннотация

Background: Congenital short frenulum of the tongue (ankyloglossia) and upper lip (lip-tie) are developmental anomalies that can interfere with key oral functions, including breastfeeding, speech articulation, and oral hygiene. Despite their prevalence, they are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and surgical outcomes of patients with congenital short lingual and/or labial frenulum, and to assess the effectiveness and safety of frenotomy and frenuloplasty. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 72 pediatric patients diagnosed with short frenulum was analyzed. Clinical assessment tools included the Hazelbaker Assessment Tool and Coryllos classification. Surgical interventions consisted of frenotomy and frenuloplasty, with follow-up over six months to evaluate outcomes. Results: Significant improvements were observed in breastfeeding (91%), speech clarity (78%), and oral hygiene (75%) post-surgery. Complication rates were low, with only minor transient bleeding and discomfort in a small subset of patients. Surgical success was comparable between frenotomy and frenuloplasty. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and surgical management of congenital short frenulum in the tongue and lip yield high functional success and low complication rates. Multidisciplinary evaluation and standardized assessment toolsenhance outcomes and patient care. Keywords: ankyloglossia, lip-tie, short frenulum, tongue-tie, frenotomy, frenuloplasty, breastfeeding, pediatric surgery