Division of tongue tie: Review of practice through a tertiary paediatric otorhinolaryngology service

Abstract Objectives Recent NICE guidance declared that evidence regarding surgical division of tongue tie was adequate to support the use of the procedure, provided that normal arrangements are in place for consent, audit and clinical governance. This work aimed to carry out a retrospective review of those patients who have previously undergone tongue tie division through a tertiary paediatric otorhinolaryngology service. We further aimed to identify the referral patterns, indications for, and outcomes following, division. Methods A retrospective chart review of all patients attending for division of tongue-tie between January 2010 and June 2011, inclusive. Results A total of 48 patients underwent division of tongue-tie over the study period. The median age of patients at the time of operation was 16 months (range 3–192). Delayed speech or articulation problems (27%), and parental concern (23%) were the most common reasons for referral. Overt difficulty with feeding was responsible for referral in just 4 cases. All cases were performed under general anaesthetic as day-case procedures; 7 patients had a second procedure performed at the same time. No complications, either early or late, were recorded across this cohort. Conclusions Tongue-tie division is a safe procedure with minimal associated morbidity. Whilst the primary indication cited in the literature is that of feeding difficulty, it appears that the majority of division is performed for other reasons.