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The outcomes of a frenulotomy on breastfeeding infants followed up for 3 months at Thammasat University Hospital

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Abstract

Purpose

To study the effects of frenulotomy on nipple pain, latch and the success in exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 3-month follow-up.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional study of 328 mother–infant pairs with both tongue-tie and breastfeeding problems was performed. Nipple pain and latch were evaluated using numeric rating scale and LATCH score, respectively, and compared between pre and post-operatively at 24 h and 1 week. The success rate of EBF was assessed at 3 months after frenulotomy.

Results

Nipple pain score were significantly decreased (median difference = 3 and 4, P < 0.001) and LATCH score were significantly increased (mean difference = 1.92 and 2.13, P < 0.001) at 24 h and 1 week post-operatively. At 3 months, a success rate of EBF was 66.67 %. Multivariable analysis clustering by maternal age of 18 years was performed. Factors that were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with the success were: girls, age at surgery ≤24 h, higher number of children in family, low birth weight, tongue-tie severity, nipple grading, LATCH score ≥8 and nipple sensation at 1 week after surgery.

Conclusion

Frenulotomy could significantly reduce nipple pain and increase LATCH score in tongue-tied infants with breastfeeding difficulty. Several factors are positively associated with the success of EBF. Tongue-tie severity, LATCH score and nipple sensation were the factors that can be modified by frenulotomy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Thammasat University Hospital, 95/8, Khlongnueng Sub-district, Khlongluang District, Pathumthani Province, 12120, Thailand

    Junsujee Wakhanrittee & Siriphut Kiatipunsodsai

  2. Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chiang Mai University Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand

    Jiraporn Khorana

Authors
  1. Junsujee Wakhanrittee
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  2. Jiraporn Khorana
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  3. Siriphut Kiatipunsodsai
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Junsujee Wakhanrittee.

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Funding

This project received financial support from Thammasat University Hospital. There is no conflict of interest in this study.

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Wakhanrittee, J., Khorana, J. & Kiatipunsodsai, S. The outcomes of a frenulotomy on breastfeeding infants followed up for 3 months at Thammasat University Hospital. Pediatr Surg Int 32, 945–952 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-016-3952-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-016-3952-8

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