About Frenotomy
Key Highlights
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Quick, minimally invasive procedure often completed in minutes.Typically performed with local anesthesia or no anesthesia in very young infants.Can be done using sterile scissors or a laser for precision.Immediate improvement in tongue or lip mobility is often observed.Significantly improves breastfeeding efficiency and reduces maternal nipple pain.Low risk of complications and rapid recovery.liMay prevent future issues with speech, dental alignment, and oral hygiene./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Diagnosed ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) causing breastfeeding difficulties (poor latch, inadequate weight gain, maternal pain).
- Restrictive labial frenulum (lip-tie) interfering with feeding or anticipated to cause a gap between front teeth.
- Future speech impediments related to restricted tongue movement.
- Oral hygiene challenges due to inability to clear food debris.
- Discomfort or tissue trauma from a tight frenulum.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive evaluation by a pediatrician, lactation consultant, or pediatric surgeon to confirm diagnosis.
- Discussion of procedure benefits, risks, and alternatives with the parents or guardians.
- No special fasting is usually required for a simple in-office frenotomy in young infants.
- For older infants or if sedation is planned, specific pre-operative fasting instructions will be provided.
- Ensuring the infant is in good general health without active oral infection.
Risks & possible complications
- Minimal bleeding, usually controlled with gentle pressure.
- Low risk of infection at the incision site.
- Potential for minor pain or discomfort post-procedure.
- Rare risk of damage to surrounding structures like salivary ducts or nerves.
- Possible recurrence or need for a more extensive procedure (frenuloplasty) if the initial release is incomplete.
- Scar tissue formation.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Infants can often breastfeed immediately after the procedure, which aids healing.
- Parents are instructed on simple stretching exercises to prevent reattachment of the frenulum.
- Mild discomfort for 24-48 hours, manageable with age-appropriate pain relief if needed.
- The incision site typically heals within a few days to a week.
- Follow-up may be scheduled to assess healing and feeding improvement.
- Maintain good oral hygiene as advised.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient) to 1 day
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Expected recovery time: 1-7 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering frenotomy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with pediatric surgery departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform frenotomy. MediFyr helps you compare pediatric surgeons and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for frenotomy compare across other countries where we have data.
Reyansh Saxena is a 3-week-old newborn,...
Reyansh Saxena is a 3-week-old newborn, the first child of anxious but excited new parents. Since birth, Reyansh has struggled to latch effectively during breastfeeding. His mother, Priya, experiences significant pain during feeds, and Reyansh often becomes frustrated, clicking as he feeds and frequently slipping off the breast. He is not gaining weight as expected, and both parents are exhausted and worried. Their pediatrician and a lactation consultant identify a significant posterior tongue-tie (ankyloglossia). The pediatric surgeon explains that the tight frenulum is restricting Reyansh's tongue movement, making feeding inefficient. The doctor recommends a frenotomy to release the tie. The procedure is performed in the clinic. Reyansh is swaddled, and a quick snip with sterile scissors is made. He cries briefly but settles quickly when returned to his mother for comfort feeding. Within days, his latch improves dramatically. Priya's pain disappears, and Reyansh begins feeding more efficiently, leading to steady weight gain. The emotional journey was one of initial stress, fear about the procedure on their tiny baby, and guilt for the parents. Afterward, they feel immense relief and joy. The procedure alleviated their primary source of anxiety, allowing them to finally enjoy the bonding experience of feeding their son.
Pediatric surgeons for Frenotomy
Explore experienced pediatric surgeons who regularly perform frenotomy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 18 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 22 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 24 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 22 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 14 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 13 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore
- 26 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 11 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Siliguri, Siliguri
- 27 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 27 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 22 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 44 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 39 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Jaipur, Jaipur
- 23 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Jaipur, Jaipur
- 28 Years Experience
- Pediatric surgeon
Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Delhi