Kaye Talijancich
Perth Pediatrics, Australia
Title: The role of laser in tongue tie division: A pilot study
Biography
Biography: Kaye Talijancich
Abstract
Background: Laser tongue tie division is an option suitable for neonates, older children and adults. No general anaesthetic is used, but an analgesic gel is applied. The procedure is very quick, taking only 2 to 3 minutes to perform.
Aim: The aim is to assess the outcome of patients who underwent tongue tie division with diode laser at Perth Paediatrics.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the 49 children who underwent laser repair of tongue tie at Perth Paediatrics between 30/01/2017 and 10/7/2017. The age of the children ranged from 4 days to 6 months3 of breastfeeding comfort to the mother and procedural complications.
Results: The outcome was assessed in terms of improvement in breastfeeding and lack of discomfort. 41 mums had immediate relief, which was rated good to excellent. Three mums had poor immediate relief but there was improvement after 2 weeks of procedure, and was rated good. Only 2 out of 41 mothers reported no relief or improvement in breastfeeding. Furthermore, it was noted that reflux symptom in 3 children, decreased post laser treatment and a weight gain increase was noted. There were no immediate or delayed procedural complications in terms of post-operative bleeding, infection, scaring or recurrence.
Conclusion: 95.2% (39/41) of children, who underwent tongue tie division with laser, were reported by their mothers, to have improvement in breastfeeding, in terms of latch/leakage. This outcome also included an improvement in the mother’s discomfort i.e. nipple pain, nipple damage and mastitis.