Tongue tie –Ankyloglossia- is when the tip of the tongue is anchored to the floor of the mouth and cannot protrude beyond lower incisors.
Symptoms include:
• Trouble breast-feeding
• Swallowing problems
• Speech difficulties
• Kissing (obvious at an older age)
Release of tongue by laser
The easiest.
No sutures.
No bleeding.
No infection
No pain
Treatment itself is fairly straightforward. If the child is less than 12 months of age, it may be possible to perform in the clinic under short inhalation anesthesia only. If between the ages of 1-12, sedation in the operating room is generally performed as the child is usually uncooperative. Older children above 5-6 years of age, the procedure can be performed in the clinic under local anesthesia as long as the patient is fully cooperative.
I use Co2 laser with a CW setting 3-4 watts.
Dr Paulose is an ENT Consultant Plastic and Laser Surgeon with over 35 years of experience covering in Ear, Nose and Throat procedures, specializing in Laser Surgery and conventional medicine across India, U.K. and Middle East. He is currently engaged with the Jubilee Hospital, in Kerala, India.
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