View source for Lingual frenectomy

{{Infobox medical intervention |
  Name        = Lingual frenectomy |
  Image       = File:Lingual Frenectomy - Before and After.jpg|
  Caption     = Lingual frenectomy before and after photos of a 5-year-old boy with [[ankyloglossia]]. This procedure was performed using a 10,600 nm CO<sub>2</sub> laser.|
  ICD10       = |
  ICD9        = {{ICD9proc|25.92}} |
  MeshID      = |
  OPS301      = |
  OtherCodes  = |
  HCPCSlevel2 =
}}
A '''lingual frenectomy''' (also known as a '''tongue-tie release''') is the removal of a band of tissue (the [[lingual frenulum]]) connecting the underside of the tongue with the floor of the mouth. A lingual frenectomy is performed to correct [[Ankyloglossia|ankyloglossia (tongue-tie)]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK373454/|title=Frenectomy for the Correction of Ankyloglossia: A Review of Clinical Effectiveness and Guidelines|date=2016|publisher=Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health|series=CADTH Rapid Response Reports|location=Ottawa (ON)|pmid=27403491}}</ref>

== Outcomes and efficacy ==
The removal of the lingual frenulum under the tongue can be accomplished with either [[frenectomy]] or [[Frenuloplasty of tongue|frenuloplasty]]. This is used to treat a [[Ankyloglossia|tongue-tied]] patient. The difference in tongue length is generally a few millimeters and it may actually shorten the tongue, depending on the procedure and aftercare.

Results of lingual frenectomia via [[laser surgery]] have been thought to be superior to those of traditional cold-steel methods; however, minimal evidence exists. The skill of the provider is most important in the success of this procedure. It is unknown if laser frenectomy results in a lower risk of relapse (i.e. adhesion).<ref>{{Cite journal |pmid=22762170 |year=2012 |last1=Olivi |first1=G |last2=Signore |first2=A |last3=Olivi |first3=M |last4=Genovese |first4=MD |title=Lingual frenectomy: Functional evaluation and new therapeutical approach |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=101–6 |journal=European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry |url=http://admin.ejpd.eu/download/2012_02_03.pdf |access-date=2013-10-20 |archive-date=2015-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150319002032/http://admin.ejpd.eu/download/2012_02_03.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Controversy ==
[[Domenico Maceri]], a professor at [[Allan Hancock College]], claims that some [[South Korea]]n parents have their children undergo frenectomy "which lengthens the tongue by about one millimeter" in the belief they will pronounce [[English language|English]] better.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Domenico |last=Marceri |url=http://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=1259 |title=English in France? Mais Oui! |newspaper=Seoul Times |year=2005 |accessdate=2009-01-27}}</ref> Critics regard the surgery as unnecessary, as Koreans born in the United States have no trouble distinctly pronouncing /r/ and /l/.<ref name="Dem">{{cite web |author=Demick, Barbara |title=A snip of the tongue and English is yours! |url=http://www2.gol.com/users/coynerhm/a_snip_of_the_tongue_and_english.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20061210222056/http://www2.gol.com/users/coynerhm/a_snip_of_the_tongue_and_english.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-12-10 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2002-04-08 |quote=doctors say the procedure's popularity has soared ... tongue surgery, which critics say is unnecessary ... Linguists sneer at the idea that South Koreans' tongues are too short to speak English properly ... operation lengthens the tongue by only a millimeter or two}}</ref>

== See also==
*{{Transliteration|sa|[[Khecarī mudrā]]}}, [[hatha yoga]] exercise that may recommend cuts in the frenulum

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Operations and other procedures on the nose, mouth, and pharynx}}

[[Category:Surgical removal procedures]]
[[Category:Tongue surgery]]