Frenulectomy - the child has rights!

摘要

Two recent experiences have prompted me to express my concerns about frenulec.tomy in infants and neonates.In the last month, the Cleft Unit of the South West of England was referred a baby with Robin Sequence as originally described (ie, without the cleft palate) who had undergone a frenulectomy without anaesthesia, after which the baby's feeding became significantly worse. One of the treatments for-Robin Sequence has been to stitch the tongue tip to the inside of the lower lip to stop the tongue falling back into the oropharynx and obstructing the airway. The division of the frenulum in this child allowed the tongue to fall back in the oropharynx andthe baby, who was not able to breast feed as a result, was successfully managed with a soft, cleft feeding bottle. The first message is that frenulectomy is contraindicated in babies with Robin Sequence.