Frenulotomy & Frenulectomy for Ankyloglossia (Tongue Tie)

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dc.contributor.authorDiale, Ndivhuwo
dc.contributor.authorPeer, Shazia
dc.contributor.authorMcGuire, Jessica
dc.contributor.editorFagan, Johan
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-15T06:57:55Z
dc.date.available2026-07-15T06:57:55Z
dc.date.issued2025-03-03
dc.description.abstractFrenulotomy (also referred to as frenotomy) and frenulectomy (frenectomy) are surgical procedures to correct ankyloglossia, a congenital condition in which the lingual frenulum is too short, causing restricted tongue movement. It is commonly called “tongue tie” and affects 4-11% of neonates. Frenulotomy refers to an incision in the frenulum that frees the tongue from the floor of the mouth. Frenulectomy refers to complete excision of a frenulum. It is more invasive and may be difficult to perform on small children; however, the results are more predictable, and recurrence rates are lower. The tongue is attached to the floor of the mouth by a lingual frenulum. A normal frenulum’s appearance varies considerably between individuals. Microdissection of cadavers shows that it is a dynamic, layered structure formed by oral mucosa and underlying floor of mouth fascia, which is mobilised into a midline fold with tongue elevation and/or retraction. The base of the frenulum contains a "V" shaped hump of tissue which houses the two Wharton’s ducts on either side (Figure 1). The sub-lingual salivary glands empty through tiny ducts on either side of Wharton's ducts. Superficial veins, known as ranine veins, run through the base of the frenulum (Figure 1).
dc.identifier.apacitationDiale, N., Peer, S., & McGuire, J. (2025). Frenulotomy & Frenulectomy for Ankyloglossia (Tongue Tie). In J. Fagan. (Ed.), <i>Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery</i> (pp.8). Cape Town, South Africa: University of Cape Town. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43549en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationDiale, Ndivhuwo, Shazia Peer, and Jessica McGuire. "Frenulotomy & Frenulectomy for Ankyloglossia (Tongue Tie)" In <i>OPEN ACCESS ATLAS OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY, HEAD & NECK OPERATIVE SURGERY</i>, edited by Johan Fagan., 8. Cape Town, South Africa: University of Cape Town. 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43549.en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationDiale, N., Peer, S. & McGuire, J. 2025. Frenulotomy & Frenulectomy for Ankyloglossia (Tongue Tie). In <i>Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery</i>. J. Fagan, Ed.Cape Town, South Africa: University of Cape Town. 8. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43549 .en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Chapter in Book AU - Diale, Ndivhuwo AU - Peer, Shazia AU - McGuire, Jessica AB - Frenulotomy (also referred to as frenotomy) and frenulectomy (frenectomy) are surgical procedures to correct ankyloglossia, a congenital condition in which the lingual frenulum is too short, causing restricted tongue movement. It is commonly called “tongue tie” and affects 4-11% of neonates. Frenulotomy refers to an incision in the frenulum that frees the tongue from the floor of the mouth. Frenulectomy refers to complete excision of a frenulum. It is more invasive and may be difficult to perform on small children; however, the results are more predictable, and recurrence rates are lower. The tongue is attached to the floor of the mouth by a lingual frenulum. A normal frenulum’s appearance varies considerably between individuals. Microdissection of cadavers shows that it is a dynamic, layered structure formed by oral mucosa and underlying floor of mouth fascia, which is mobilised into a midline fold with tongue elevation and/or retraction. The base of the frenulum contains a "V" shaped hump of tissue which houses the two Wharton’s ducts on either side (Figure 1). The sub-lingual salivary glands empty through tiny ducts on either side of Wharton's ducts. Superficial veins, known as ranine veins, run through the base of the frenulum (Figure 1). CY - Cape Town, South Africa DA - 2025-03-03 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town ED - Fagan, Johan J1 - Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery KW - Frenulectomy, Tongue Tie, Ankyloglossia LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PP - Cape Town, South Africa PY - 2025 T1 - Frenulotomy & Frenulectomy for Ankyloglossia (Tongue Tie) TI - Frenulotomy & Frenulectomy for Ankyloglossia (Tongue Tie) UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43549 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/43549
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationDiale N, Peer S, McGuire J. Frenulotomy & Frenulectomy for Ankyloglossia (Tongue Tie). In Fagan J, editor.. Open Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery. Cape Town, South Africa: University of Cape Town; 2025. p.8. [cited yyyy month dd]. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43549.en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Cape Town
dc.publisher.departmentDivision of Otorhinolaryngology
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.publisher.locationCape Town, South Africa
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
dc.sourceOpen Access Atlas of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Operative Surgery
dc.source.pagination8
dc.subjectFrenulectomy, Tongue Tie, Ankyloglossia
dc.titleFrenulotomy & Frenulectomy for Ankyloglossia (Tongue Tie)
dc.typeChapter in Book
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