Frenotomia lingual em bebês diagnosticados com anquiloglossia pelo Teste da Linguinha: série de casos clínicos / Lingual frenectomy in babies diagnosed with ankyloglossia through the Tongue Test: a series of case reports

Objetivo: relatar uma série de casos clínicos de frenotomia lingual em bebês diagnosticados com anquilo-glossia pelo Teste da Linguinha. Relato de casos: cinco bebês, de 0 a 2 anos de idade, foram diagnosticados nas Unidade Básicas de Saúde e na Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Sobral, Ceará, com anquiloglossia mode-rada a severa. As mães relataram dificuldades de amamentação e engasgos das crianças. Os pacientes foram submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos de frenotomia lingual, que foram realizados na Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), Campus Sobral, no Grupo de Estudos em Odontopediatria (GEOP) do curso de graduação em Odontologia. As cirurgias foram realizadas com os pacientes conscientes e sob estabilização protetora. Foi administrada apenas anestesia tópica nos pacientes menores de 1 ano e anestesia infiltrativa naqueles com faixa etária maior que 1 ano. Em seguida, foi executado um pequeno corte na porção mediana do freio lingual e, quando necessário, realizada divulsão dos tecidos adjacentes. Ao final, foi feita a limpeza do local da cirurgia com a confirmação visual da efetiva liberação da língua. Por fim, as crianças receberam atestado e as mães, recomendações pós-cirúrgicas. Além disso, as crianças foram encaminhadas para consulta com o fonoaudiólogo e foram marcadas três consultas de retorno para o acompanhamento dos casos. Considera-ções finais: a frenotomia lingual mostrou-se uma técnica cirúrgica conservadora, eficaz e segura. Os bebês apresentaram excelentes resultados pós-operatórios e encontram-se em acompanhamento multiprofissional. (AU)

Objective: to report a series of clinical cases of lin-gual frenectomy in babies diagnosed with ankylo-glossia through the tongue test. Case Reports: five babies aged 0 to 2 years were diagnosed with moderate to severe ankyloglossia in Basic Health Units and in Santa Casa de Misericórdia do So-bral, Ceará, Brazil. The mothers of the children reported difficulties in breastfeeding and gagging. The patients were submitted to surgical procedu-res of lingual frenectomy, which were performed at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Cam-pus Sobral, in the Group of Studies in Pediatric Dentistry of the undergraduate dental course. The surgeries were performed with conscious patients under protective stabilization. Only topical anesthesia was administered in patients younger than 1 year and infiltrative anesthesia was used for those older than 1 year. Thereafter, a small cut was per-formed on the median portion of the lingual fre-nulum and, if necessary, divulsion of the adjacent tissues was performed. At the end, the surgical site was cleaned and the effective release of the tongue was confirmed visually. Finally, the chil-dren received medical certification and the mo-thers received postoperative recommendations. In addition, the children were referred to visits with a speech therapist and three follow-up ap-pointments were scheduled. Final considerations: lingual frenectomy proved to be a conservative, effective, and safe surgical technique. The babies presented excellent postoperative results and they are under multi-professional follow-up. (AU)

Is the Neonatal Tongue Screening Test a valid and reliable tool for detecting ankyloglossia in newborns?

BACKGROUND: Although there is a lack of strong evidence for the association between ankyloglossia in newborns and impaired breastfeeding, screening for ankyloglossia using the Neonatal Tongue Screening Test (NTST) is mandated by law in Brazilian maternities. AIM: To assess the reliability and validity of the NTST. DESIGN: cohort study; baseline sample comprised 268 mother-newborn dyads. At follow-up, 169 mothers were contacted by telephone. Interviews with the mothers for data collection were performed up to 48 h and at 1-3 months after childbirth. Trained and calibrated personnel performed the oral examinations of the newborns. Thirty newborns were examined for inter-reproducibility assessment. RESULTS: Of the 268 newborns included, 212 had a lingual frenulum that could be visually inspected and their NTST scores ranged from zero to nine (mean = 2.0, ±2.0). Interexaminer reproducibility was acceptable (Intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.77). Internal consistency of the NTST was poor (Cronbach's alpha = 0.28). Construct validity was investigated through the association between NTST scores and difficulties in breastfeeding at baseline and follow-up, and infants' weight gain at follow-up (mean age 32 ± 6.7 days). No statistically significant associations were found. CONCLUSION: NTST is neither reliable nor valid for detecting ankyloglossia that may interfere with breastfeeding in newborns.

Lingual Chondrolipoma in a Dog.

A 13-year-old female Yorkshire terrier was presented with difficulty swallowing because of a lingual mass, which had grown to a size of 0.8 × 0.8 × 0.8 cm in 1 month. Grossly, the mass was located in the lingual frenulum and the cut surface was grey-white in colour. Microscopically, the mass was unencapsulated and composed of lobules of mature adipose tissue and cartilaginous tissue with abundant basophilic myxoid matrix separated by fibrous connective tissue. Immunohistochemically, almost all of these cells were positive for vimentin and S100. Chondroid cells and their adjacent spindle cells were also positive for SOX9. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of chondrolipoma was made. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a chondrolipoma originating as a primary tumour in the lingual frenulum of a dog.

Anquiloglosia y problemas de succión, tratamiento multidisciplinar: terapia miofuncional orofacial, sesiones de lactancia materna y frenotomía / Ankyloglossia and breastfeeding problems, multidisciplinary management: Orofacial myofunctional therapy, breastfeeding sessions and frenotomy

Introducción. La limitación de la movilidad lingual en neonatos puede ocasionar problemas en la lactancia, entre ellos: dolor-grietas-mastitis en la madre, mal progreso de peso del neonato y duración excesivamente larga de las tomas. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar la efectividad de los tratamientos realizados en los pacientes con anquiloglosia y trastornos de succión. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo preliminar de la efectividad del circuito establecido entre los servicios de Cirugía Oral y Maxilofacial, Logopedia y Rehabilitación Orofacial y Lactancia Materna para el tratamiento de los pacientes que acuden con problemas de lactancia materna y se les diagnostica anquiloglosia. Resultados. Se trató a 61 pacientes de edades entre 0 y 6meses con anquiloglosia asociada a problemas clínicos relacionados con la lactancia: 20 niñas (32.8%) y 41 niños (67.2%). Se establecieron 3 grupos según el tratamiento realizado: grupo1 (n=6) únicamente las sesiones de lactancia materna (SLM), grupo2 (n=19) terapia miofuncional (TMF) y asesoramiento en SLM, y grupo3 (n=36) frenotomía y siguieron TMF y asesoramiento de SLM. La anquiloglosia tipoiii es el frenillo lingual más frecuente (57.4%). En el total de la muestra se observaron mejorías en los parámetros que valoran la efectividad y el confort de la lactancia materna. Conclusiones. Mejorar la succión es posible; se recomienda estimular la succión con terapia miofuncional antes y después de la frenotomía, y también en aquellos casos en los que no será necesaria la cirugía (AU)

Introduction. The limitation of lingual mobility in newborns can cause problems in lactation. Among these problems are, soreness, cracked nipples or mastitis in the mother, poor weight gain of the newborn, and an excessively prolonged period of time in each breastfeed. The aim of this study is evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment received by the newborns with breastfeeding problems and ankyloglossia. Material and methods. A preliminary study of the effectiveness of the circuit established between the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Speech Therapy and Orofacial Rehabilitation and the Breastfeeding Department to treat patients that attended the hospital with breastfeeding problems and were diagnosed with ankyloglossia. Results. A total of 61 patients with ages between 0 and 6 months had ankyloglossia were seen due to clinical problems related to breastfeeding. Of these, 20 (32.8%) were girls and 41 (67.2%) were boys. Three groups were established in accordance with the treatment carried out: group1 (n=6) solely from the Breastfeeding Sessions (BFS), group2 (n=19) Myofunctional Therapy (MFT) and BFS, and group3 (n=36) Frenotomy, followed by MFT and BFS. Ankyloglossia type3 was the most frequent lingual frenulum (57.4%). From the total sample, improvements were observed in the parameters that assessed the effectiveness and comfort of breastfeeding. Conclusions. Improving breastfeeding is possible, and in some cases, surgery should not be necessary. If surgery is required, it is recommended to stimulate suction before and after the frenotomy with myofunctional therapy (AU)

Anquiloglosia neonatal. ¿Existe un exceso de indicación intervencionista? / Neonatal ankyloglossia. Is there an excess of interventionist indication?

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio es analizar a los pacientes remitidos a cirugía para practicar una frenotomía en el periodo neonatal y revisar su correcta indicación, ya que en la actualidad no existe consenso en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de la anquiloglosia. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de 136 pacientes con anquiloglosia derivados a la consulta de cirugía plástica pediátrica. Se recogieron datos sobre la remisión a la consulta, problemas de lactancia y experiencia anterior y posterior a la intervención. Resultados: Los principales motivos de consulta se relacionaron con problemas en la técnica de lactancia materna (69 pacientes [65,7%]). El dolor durante la toma era el síntoma más habitual, aunque 33 pacientes (31,4%) no presentaban síntomas. En la mayoría de los casos, la remisión a cirugía la realizó el pediatra de zona (85 pacientes [80%]). El tipo más frecuente de anquiloglosia en la muestra fue el tipo II. Sólo se detectó 1 caso de recidiva. La ansiedad debida a la separación durante la frenotomía fue la experiencia negativa más frecuente entre las madres. Discusión: La falta de indicaciones establecidas para la frenotomía, así como la relativa facilidad de la aplicación de la técnica en la edad neonatal y el auge de las campañas de lactancia materna, está derivando en un exceso de indicación quirúrgica como tratamiento de la anquiloglosia. Debe promoverse la creación de guías que definan unos criterios adecuados de tratamiento, así como favorecer la remisión a la consulta de lactancia como un paso previo a la cirugía (AU)

Introduction: The aim of this study is to analyze patients referred to frenotomy surgery during neonatal period and to review their correct indication, as nowadays there is no consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of ankyloglossia. Material and methods: A retrospective study of 136 patients with ankyloglossia referred to pediatric plastic surgery. Data collection was based on the consultation, breastfeeding problems and experiences before and after intervention. Results: The main reasons to attend consultation were related to breastfeeding technique (69 patients [65.7%]), and pain in between takes the more frequent symptom, nevertheless 33 patients (31.4%) had no symptoms. In most cases, referral to surgery was done by the pediatrician (85 patients [80%]). The most common type of ankyloglossia in the sample was type II. Only one case of recurrence was detected. Separation anxiety during frenotomy was the most frequent negative experience among mothers. Discussion: The lack of guidelines established for frenotomy and the relative ease of application of the technique in the neonatal age and the rise of breastfeeding campaigns, is leading to an excess of surgical indication as treatment of ankyloglossia. To create guidelines defining an appropriate criteria of treatment should be promoted, and to facilitate referrals to lactation consultation as a step prior to surgery (AU)

Frenulectomy of the tongue and the influence of rehabilitation exercises on the sEMG activity of masticatory muscles.

This study aimed to assess by surface electromyography (sEMG) the changes in sub-mental, orbicularis oris, and masticatory muscle activity after a lingual frenulectomy. Rehabilitation exercises in subjects with ankyloglossia, characterized by Class I malocclusion, were assessed as well. A total of 24 subjects were selected. Thirteen subjects (mean age 7±2.5years) with Class I malocclusion and ankyloglossia were treated with lingual frenulectomy and rehabilitation exercises, while 11 subjects (mean age 7±0.8years) with normal occlusion and normal lingual frenulum were used as controls. The inclusion criteria for both groups were the presence of mixed dentition and no previous orthodontic treatment. The sEMG recordings were taken at the time of the first visit (T0), and after 1 (T1) and 6months (T2) for the treated group. Recordings were taken at the same time for the control group. Due to the noise inherent with the sEMG recording, special attention was paid to obtain reproducible and standardized recordings. The tested muscles were the masseter, anterior temporalis, upper and lower orbicularis oris, and sub-mental muscles. The sEMG recordings were performed at rest, while kissing, swallowing, opening the mouth, clenching the teeth and during protrusion of the mandible. These recordings were made by placing electrodes in the area of muscle contraction. At T0, the treated group showed different sEMG activity of the muscles with respect to the control group, with significant differences at rest and during some test tasks (p<0.05). In the treated group, an increase in sEMG potentials was observed for the masseter muscle, from T0 to T2, during maximal voluntary clenching. During swallowing and kissing, the masseter and sub-mental muscles showed a significant increase in their sEMG potentials from T0 to T2. During the protrusion of the mandible, the masseter and anterior temporalis significantly decreased their sEMG activity, while the sub-mental area increased significantly. No significant change was observed in the control group during the follow-up. The sEMG potentials of treated patients at T2 reached about the same values as those of the control group at T2. At T0 and T1 the differences between the two groups were more diffused, suggesting a clinical improvement of muscular functions after treatment. Lingual frenulectomy and rehabilitation exercises seem to affect the function of the orofacial muscles. Improvement in muscle sEMG potentials after treatment was demonstrated by sEMG, which can be considered the correct method to monitor this intervention.

Relationship between mandibular incisor irregularity and type of occlusion in ankyloglossia.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the lingual frenulum length with mandibular incisor irregularity and type of occlusion in children with ankyloglossia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty children aged between 7 and 12 years with ankyloglossia enrolled in the study. The patients were classified according to Kotlow's classification. Mandibular incisor crowding was measured and the molar relationship was determined. The data were analysed statistically using Fisher's exact test, X2 and Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: Of the 80 patients, 45 (56.3%) had mild, 23 (28.8%) had moderate and 12 (15%) had severe ankyloglossia. Fifty-nine (73.8%) of the patients had mild irregularity, 18 (22.5%) had moderate and 3 (3.8%) had severe irregularity. In 56 (70%) of the patients, Class I occlusion was observed, 17 (21.3%) had Class II and 7 (8.8%) had Class III occlusion. No significant differences were found between types of ankyloglossia with mandibular incisor irregularity and occlusion types. A significant positive correlation was determined between the length of the lingual frenulum length and mandibular incisor irregularity. There were significant positive correlations between the lingual frenulum length, incisor irregularity and age. CONCLUSION: Mild and moderate types of ankyloglossia are unrelated to mandibular incisor crowding and occlusion type.

Rigid swelling of sublingual caruncle area due to the salivary gland duct obstruction by a sialolith

Sialolithiasis is the presence of calculus within the ductal system of a salivary gland. Among the diagnostic methods are inspection, palpation, checking the amount of saliva secreted and the identification of a sialolith. The authors present the case of a 37-year-old female patient with edema of the submandibular area and a bulging sublingual caruncle due to a calculus that obstructed the salivary gland ostium.

Rigid swelling of sublingual caruncle area due to the salivary gland duct obstruction by a sialolith.

Sialolithiasis is the presence of calculus within the ductal system of a salivary gland. Among the diagnostic methods are inspection, palpation, checking the amount of saliva secreted and the identification of a sialolith. The authors present the case of a 37-year-old female patient with edema of the submandibular area and a bulging sublingual caruncle due to a calculus that obstructed the salivary gland ostium.

Rigo-Fede disease: case report.

Riga-Fede disease results when an infant's instinctive tongue thrusting and raking motion over recently erupted primary mandibular incisors causes a traumatic ulceration of the tongue and/or mouth floor. The symptoms and therapeutic approach to the condition are highlighted in this case report.

Ankyloglossia and tongue mobility.

AIM: Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie is a congenital condition of newborns when the inferior lingual fraenulum is too short and is attached to the tip of the tongue limiting its movement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ankyloglossia classification and tongue mobility. In addition, the prevalence of ankyloglossia among males and females was assessed. METHODS: 300 subjects (150 boys and 150 girls) with an age range of 7-12 years were randomly selected from different schools. The distance between the uppermost point of lingual fraenulum and its insertion into the oral floor was measured in the subjects. The subjects were categorised from having no ankyloglossia to severe tongue-tie based on the measurements. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This study showed that ankyloglossia was more common in males. It also showed that only subjects with a lingual fraenulum of <1.5 cm suffered from inadequate tongue movement.

Evidence of improved milk intake after frenotomy: a case report.

Ankyloglossia (tongue tie) is a well-recognized cause of breastfeeding difficulties and, if untreated, can cause maternal nipple pain and trauma, ineffective feeding, and poor infant weight gain. In some cases, this condition will result in a downregulation of the maternal milk supply. Milk-production measurements (24-hour) for a breastfeeding infant with ankyloglossia revealed the ineffective feeding of the infant (78 mL/24 hours), and a low milk supply (350 mL/24 hours) was diagnosed. Appropriate management increased milk supply (1254 mL/24 hours) but not infant milk intake (190 mL/24 hours). Test weighing convincingly revealed the efficacy of frenotomy, increasing breastfeeding milk transfer from 190 to 810 mL/24 hours. Postfrenotomy, breastfeeding almost completely replaced bottle-feeding of expressed breast milk. This case study confirms that ankyloglossia may reduce maternal milk supply and that frenotomy can improve milk removal by the infant. Milk-production measurements (24-hour) provided the evidence to confirm these findings.

Lingual frenulum and effect on breastfeeding in Thai newborn infants.

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding has abundant biological and psychological benefits. Effective breastfeeding requires good latching on, which is possible when the infant is able to cup around the maternal areola with his tongue. One of the most common conditions resulting in poor latching on is tongue-tie. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of tongue-tie with subsequent breastfeeding difficulties and other factors affecting the success of breastfeeding in newborn infants. METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study of healthy Thai infants without contraindications for breastfeeding. Physical examination of the infants and mothers and their breastfeeding practices were assessed between 24 and 48 hours of life. RESULTS: 2679 mother-infant dyads were recruited. The study detected a prevalence of 16% for severe tongue-tie, 37.9% of which was associated with breastfeeding difficulties. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, moderate (adjusted OR 13.3, 95% CI 7.2-24.5) and severe (adjusted OR 62, 95% CI 34.1-112.8) tongue-tie, short nipples (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.2), mothers feeling the infant's tongue on the nipple area (adjusted OR 3.4, 95% CI 2.2-5.2) and mothers' inability to feel the infant's tongue (adjusted OR 11.8, 95% CI 4.3-32.4) independently increased the risk of breastfeeding difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: Tongue-tie is not uncommon and is associated with breastfeeding difficulty in newborn infants. Mothers of infants with severe tongue-tie should be closely and individually coached during breastfeeding and followed up, especially during the first critical weeks of the infant's life.

Lingual frenectomy and alveolar tap production: an acoustic and perceptual study.

In this phonetic study, productions of the consonant in the stressed syllable position of the word arara as produced by 13 subjects with short and/or anterior lingual frenulum were compared before and after lingual frenectomy. The results from the measurement of the stressed consonant duration and from the identification of the consonant manners of articulation based on the inspection of spectral characteristics are discussed and related to the answers to a perceptual identification test. After surgery, the number of tap productions did not increase, but alveolar productions did. These clinically relevant findings show frenectomy improved tongue mobility, but, as temporal controls were not totally re-established after surgery and 6-month speech therapy sessions, the production of the alveolar tap remained largely unchanged.

Gingival recession associated with predisposing factors in young vietnamese: a pilot study.

AIMS: Several studies have shown a large diversity in the prevalence, extent and severity of gingival recession as well as controversial conclusions of its associated factors. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to evaluate gingival recession with predisposing factors in young Vietnamese. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using clinical examination was performed in 120 dental students. Oral hygiene status, tooth malposition and fraenal attachment were recorded. The width of keratinised gingiva was measured after mucosa staining with Lugol's iodine solution. Measurements of gingival recession were performed on labial tooth surfaces. Chisquare test, t-test and Pearsonâs correlation were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of gingival recession was 72.5% of the studied population. The extent of affected teeth was 11.1% of the examined teeth. The proportion of root-surface exposure was statistically higher (P<0.05) in the maxilla (12.5%) than in the mandible (9.6%). Premolars and right canines were the teeth most frequently and most seriously associated with gingival recession, respectively. There was a strong negative correlation between narrow width of keratinised gingiva and gingival recession (P<0.001). The recession was statistically associated with tooth malposition (P<0.001) but it was not related to high fraenal attachment and gender. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of gingival recession was found in Vietnamese dental students. Gingival recession was associated with narrow width of keratinised gingiva, tooth malposition and maxillary teeth. Further studies performed in larger populations with more extended age groups are needed to confirm these findings.

Prevalence of bifid tongue and Ankyloglossia in South Indian population with an emphasis on its embryogenesis / Prevalencia de lengua bífida y anquiloglosia en el Sur de la población India con énfasis en su embriogénesis

Disturbance in the organogenesis of tongue might lead to some malformations like tongue tie, bifid tongue and hairy tongue. Severe degrees of these anomalies may cause speech impairment or periodontal defects. The present study was done on patients of the southern coastal belt of India during the past two years, on gross tongue anomalies. The results of the present study reveal that occurrence of tongue tie is 0.2 percent and bifid tongue is 0.3 percent in the southern coastal population. Since great majority of these oral anomalies have genetic basis the purpose of the present report is to highlight that these anomalies can exist without any familial background and also to suggest that environmental factor may play a role in the etiogenesis of these anomalies.

La alteración en la organogénesis de la lengua puede dar lugar a algunas malformaciones como anquiloglosia, lengua bífida y lengua vellosa. Grados severos de estas anomalías puede provocar un trastorno del habla o defectos periodontales. El presente estudio se realizó, durante los últimos dos años, en pacientes de la franja costera del Sur de la India con anomalías graves en la lengua. Los resultados del estudio revelaron que, en la población costera del sur, la incidencia de anquiloglosia era de 0,2 porciento y de lengua bífida de 0,3 por ciento. Dado que la gran mayoría de estas anomalías orales tienen base genética, el propósito del presente informe fue poner de relieve que estas anomalías pueden existir sin ningún tipo de antecedentes familiares y también sugerir que los factores ambientales podrían jugar un papel en el etiogenesis de estas anomalías.

Lingual frenulum protocol.

An efficient lingual frenulum protocol with scores is presented. From a specific lingual frenulum evaluation used until 2004, a new protocol was designed. Ten speech language pathologists experienced in orofacial myology used the new protocol with different groups of subjects. 1235 subjects were evaluated during 3 years. From the experience of these ten speech language pathologists, the protocol was re-structured, and a scoring system was added. Absence of alteration (normal tongue and frenulum) was scored zero. The alterations observed were scored in ascending order. Four additional speech language pathologists experienced in orofacial myology were trained by the researcher to administer the final version of the protocol. The protocol was administered in 2008 and 2009 to 239 subjects: 160 children between 7 years and 2 months old and 11 years and 7 months old; and to 79 adults from 16 years and 8 months or older. From the results of administration of the protocol, a new lingual frenulum protocol with scores was designed. According to the scores, the frenulum can be considered altered or normal. When the sum of general tests is equal or higher than 3, the frenulum may be altered. The interference of the lingual frenulum in the oral functions may be considered when the sum of the functional tests is equal or higher than 25. This new lingual frenulum protocol with scores was designed and has been an efficient tool to diagnose an altered lingual frenulum.