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Martinelli RL, Marchesan IQ et al. J Appl Oral Sci 2015;23: 153–157

The investigators concede that the role of lingual frenotomy (synonym for frenectomy) to allow more effective breastfeeding is controversial. Others would argue frenotomy is brutal. In this study, 109 mothers answered a questionnaire exploring a number of breastfeeding habits in their infants. Assessment as to whether or not an infant was tongue-tied was carried out using an 'anatomo-functional evaluation and non-nutritive and nutritive sucking'. Consent was given for a frenotomy in only 14 of the affected infants. When the infants were 45 days of age, frenotomy was carried out by an otorhinolaryngologist using topical anaesthetic. In those who received frenotomy, at 75 days of age, the number of sucks increased and the pause length between sucking decreased when compared with matched controls. Only those mothers of infants who received a frenotomy were asked to complete the questionnaire. Their findings were favourable. But then it has been reported by others that ineffective latching by the infant may be associated with characteristics of the mother's nipple.