Comparison of Frenotomy Techniques On LATCH Score in Infants with Ankyloglossia at Phangnga Hospital : A Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors

  • Waralak Yangsakul Department of Otolaryngology, Phangnga Hospital

Keywords:

Ankyloglossia, Frenotomy, LATCH score

Abstract

Background: Ankyloglossia affected infant breastfeeding. Several surgical techniques were used to treat ankyloglossia, with scissor frenotomy and electrocautery frenotomy being the most commonly used methods. However, there was no clear consensus regarding the effects of these two surgical techniques on maternal breastfeeding.

Objectives: To compare the effects of scissor frenotomy and electrocautery frenotomy on LATCH scores, wound healing, and postoperative complications.

Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted among newborn infants diagnosed with ankyloglossia associated with breastfeeding difficulties at Phang Nga Hospital between June 2024 and January 2025. Eligible infants underwent lingual frenotomy and were randomly assigned to either the scissor group or the electrocautery group.

Results: Thirty newborns underwent scissor frenotomy and thirty underwent electrocautery frenotomy. There were no statistically significant differences in LATCH scores between the two groups before surgery and on postoperative days 1 and 7. Evaluation of wound healing on postoperative day 7 demonstrated that the healing index was significantly higher in the scissor group than in the electrocautery group (p < 0.05). No postoperative complications were observed in either group.

Conclusion: Both scissor and electrocautery frenotomy effectively treated newborns with ankyloglossia and breastfeeding difficulties. LATCH scores did not differ significantly between the two techniques. However, scissor frenotomy resulted in better wound healing, and no postoperative complications were identified in either group.

References

Walsh J, Tunkel D. Diagnosis and treatment of ankyloglossia in newborns and infants: a review. JAMA Otolaryngol Neck Surg. 2017;143(10):1032–9.

Jensen D, Wallace S, Kelsay P. LATCH: a breastfeeding charting system and documentation tool. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 1994;23(1):27–32.

Riordan J, Bibb D, Miller M, Rawlins T. Predicting breastfeeding duration using the LATCH breastfeeding assessment tool. J Hum Lact. 2001;17(1):20–3.

Meek JY, Noble L; Section on Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022057988.

Srisasalux J, Tantaviwong A. Proceedings of R2R (Routine to Research); 2008 Jul 2-3; Miracle Grand Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand. Bangkok: Health System Research Institute; 2008:101–22.

Todd DA, Hogan MJ. Tongue-tie in the newborn: early diagnosis and division prevents poor breastfeeding outcomes. Breastfeed Rev. 2015;23(1):11–6.

Khan U, MacPherson J, Bezuhly M, Hong P. Comparison of frenotomy techniques for the treatment of ankyloglossia in children: a systematic review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020;163(3):428–43.

Lalakea ML, Messner AH. Ankyloglossia: does it matter?. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2003;50(2):381–97.

Boonsopa C, Apiraknapanon Y. Retrospective cohort study on effect of frenulotomy techniques on breastfeeding. Siriraj Med J. 2020;72(5):407–14.

Wakhanrittee J, Khorana J, Kiatipunsodsai S. The outcomes of a frenulotomy on breastfeeding infants followed up for 3 months at Thammasat University Hospital. Pediatr Surg Int. 2016;32(10):945–52.

Pippi R. Post-surgical clinical monitoring of soft tissue wound healing in periodontal and implant surgery. Int J Med Sci. 2017;14(8):721–8.

Hamzani Y, Chaushu G. Evaluation of early wound healing scales/indexes in oral surgery: a literature review. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2018;20(6):1030–5.

Ngerncham S, Laohapensang M, Wongvisutdhi T, Ritjaroen Y, Painpichan N, Hakularb P, et al. Lingual frenulum and effect on breastfeeding in Thai newborn infants. Paediatr Int Child Health. 2013;33(2):86–90.

Cordray H, Mahendran GN, Tey CS, Nemeth J, Sutcliffe A, Ingram J, et al. Severity and prevalence of ankyloglossia-associated breastfeeding symptoms: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Acta Paediatr. 2023;112(3):347–57.

Cordray H, Raol N, Mahendran GN, Tey CS, Nemeth J, Sutcliffe A, et al. Quantitative impact of frenotomy on breastfeeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Pediatr Res. 2024;95(1):34–42.

Wongwattana P. Comparison of monopolar cautery and conventional surgery in treatment of ankyloglossia. Egypt J Ear Nose Throat Allied Sci. 2024;25:1–8.

Dell’Olio F, Baldassarre ME, Russo FG, Schettini F, Siciliani RA, Mezzapesa PP, et al. Lingual laser frenotomy in newborns with ankyloglossia: a prospective cohort study. Ital J Pediatr. 2022;48(1):163.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

1.
Yangsakul W. Comparison of Frenotomy Techniques On LATCH Score in Infants with Ankyloglossia at Phangnga Hospital : A Randomized Controlled Trial. MNST Med J [internet]. 2026 Jun. 30 [cited 2026 Sep. 7];10(1):40-51. available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/MNSTMedJ/article/view/289871