The Relationship of Ankyloglossia With Gender in Children and the Ideal Timing of Surgery in Ankyloglossia

Abstract

Introduction: Ankyloglossia is a congenital condition that restricts tongue mobility. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between gender and pediatric ankyloglossia and evaluate the planning of ideal timing of surgery. Methods: The files of pediatric patients in the Turkish population treated surgically for tongue-tie between June 2014 to June 2018 were scanned retrospectively. Results: Three hundred and eighty-two pediatric patients were included in the study. Of these, 115 (30.1%) were female and 267 (69.9%) were male. The prevalence of ankyloglossia was significantly higher in males than in females ( P < .001). The age of the patients at time of surgery ranged from 1 day to 114 months. The most common indication was sucking/feeding difficulties (82%) in patients younger than 2 years, and the most common symptom was speech problems (67%) in patients aged 2 years and older. Conclusion: In our study, the prevalence of ankyloglossia in Turkish society was significantly higher in males. Frenectomy surgery is a safe procedure that can be performed on the first day of life in newborns.