A tongue tie is what occurs when the thin membrane which attaches the tip of the tongue to the floor of the mouth doesn’t absorb in the womb. It results in a baby being unable to lift the tip of the tongue and thus struggles to breastfeed as it cannot latch. If not corrected after birth it results in speech delays and impediments.
If it is picked up at birth then it is a very quick, painless and easy procedure to perform with some local anaesthetic in the rooms whereby the membrane remnant can be snipped with scissors and breastfeeding started immediately.
If the diagnosis is only made after a year, then a formal operation in theatre needs to be done where the membrane is removed using an electro cautery. The same principles for post operation tongue sweeps apply.
© Dr Cameron McIntosh Rhinoplasty Surgeon | Website Design by Perfect Circle