Overview
Frenotomy, also known as a tongue-tie procedure, is a minor surgical intervention performed to release a tight lingual frenulum, the small band of tissue connecting the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. In infants, a restricted frenulum can cause feeding difficulties, poor weight gain, and breastfeeding challenges.
In South Korea, frenotomy is performed in advanced pediatric clinics and ENT centers using gentle, safe, and quick techniques. Korean hospitals focus on minimizing discomfort, ensuring rapid recovery, and supporting breastfeeding success, making it a widely recommended procedure for affected infants.
What is Frenotomy (Tongue-Tie Procedure in Infants)?
Frenotomy involves snipping or releasing the tight lingual frenulum to allow full tongue movement, improving oral function.
It is typically recommended for infants who:
- Have difficulty latching or sucking during breastfeeding
- Experience poor weight gain due to feeding problems
- Display clicking sounds or excessive nipple pain during feeding
- Have speech concerns later in life due to restricted tongue movement
Frenotomy is a quick, outpatient procedure usually performed in infants under 12 months, though older children may also benefit if symptoms persist.
What are the benefits?
Frenotomy provides several key advantages for infants and parents:
- Improves tongue mobility → allows effective breastfeeding and feeding
- ➤ Reduces nipple pain and trauma for breastfeeding mothers
- ➤ Supports proper weight gain and nutrition
- ➤ Prevents future speech or dental issues associated with tongue-tie
- ➤ Quick and minimally invasive → often performed in minutes
- ➤ High success rates in Korea → advanced pediatric ENT expertise ensures safety and efficacy
Procedure Details
1) How should I prepare for Frenotomy (Tongue-Tie Procedure in Infants)?
Preparation ensures safety and comfort for the infant:
- Medical evaluation → examination of tongue mobility and feeding difficulties
- Consent discussion → explanation of procedure, risks, benefits, and post-op care
- Feeding preparation → infant may be fed prior to procedure to maintain calmness
- Sterility and comfort → clean oral environment and age-appropriate restraint
2) What happens during the procedure Frenotomy (Tongue-Tie Procedure in Infants)?
The procedure is typically very brief, lasting a few minutes:
- Positioning → infant placed on caregiver’s lap or examination table
- Local anesthesia or numbing → sometimes topical anesthetic may be applied
- Frenulum release → tight band is gently snipped with sterile scissors or laser
- Bleeding control → minor bleeding is typically self-limiting; sterile gauze applied
- Immediate assessment → tongue movement is checked, and infant encouraged to feed
In Korea, frenotomy is performed using precise instruments, sterile techniques, and gentle handling, ensuring minimal pain and rapid improvement.
3) What happens after Frenotomy (Tongue-Tie Procedure in Infants)?
- Immediate recovery → most infants feed immediately after the procedure
- Mild discomfort → slight soreness or fussiness may occur for 24–48 hours
- Feeding support → frequent breastfeeding or bottle feeding encouraged to maintain mobility
- Wound care → minimal; usually resolves naturally within a few days
- Follow-up → check tongue mobility and ensure feeding improvements
Risks / Benefits
Potential Risks:
- Minor bleeding at frenulum site
- Temporary soreness or fussiness during feeding
- Rare complications → infection or reattachment of frenulum
Key Benefits:
- Improved tongue mobility → immediate improvement in feeding
- ➤ Relieves breastfeeding difficulties and nipple pain
- ➤ Minimally invasive, quick, and safe
- ➤ Prevents long-term speech or dental issues
- ➤ High-quality pediatric ENT care in Korea ensures optimal outcomes
Recovery and Outlook
- Short-term recovery → most infants feed normally immediately; mild fussiness may occur
- Functional improvement → effective breastfeeding, better weight gain, and reduced maternal nipple pain
- Long-term outcome → proper tongue function supports speech, oral hygiene, and dental alignment
- In Korea, parents benefit from expert pediatric ENT care, sterile procedure environments, and follow-up support, ensuring infants thrive post-procedure
When To Call the Doctor
Contact your pediatric ENT or physician if you notice:
- Persistent bleeding or swelling at the frenulum site
- ➤ Infection signs → redness, pus, or fever
- ➤ Feeding difficulties or refusal post-procedure
- ➤ Incomplete tongue movement improvement
- ➤ Any unusual complications in the infant
Early follow-up ensures safe healing, effective tongue function, and successful feeding.
Best Korea Option / Process
South Korea provides world-class frenotomy services for infants:
- Expert pediatric ENT specialists → skilled in gentle, precise tongue-tie release
- Advanced instruments and sterile techniques → scissors or laser options
- Comprehensive care packages → assessment, procedure, immediate post-op feeding support, and follow-up
- Minimally invasive approach → rapid procedure, quick recovery, and high parental satisfaction
- International patient support → multilingual staff, appointment scheduling, and personalized guidance
Parents choosing Korea for frenotomy can expect safe, rapid, and effective relief from tongue-tie, ensuring infants feed well, grow properly, and achieve normal oral function.
