Please be careful to use the correct term when referring to an incision in a
labial or lingual frenulum.

Frenotomy or frenulotomy is an incision, like an episiotomy. It is usually
very straight-forward, little or no bleeding, usually done without
anesthetic since there are no nerves in most  frenula. No sutures are
required. I have videotaped dozens of babies having this procedure at Dr.
Greg Notestine's office (DDS) here in Dayton. His article in the Sept. 1990
JHL is very clear on the benefits and low risks of this procedure.

Frenectomy or frenulectomy is removal of tissue, like a tonsillectomy or
hysterectomy. This is a much more complex procedure requiring anesthesia and
sutures afterward. A z-plasty is one kind of frenectomy. This is rarely
needed in babies with short and/or tight frenula.

Alison Hazelbaker did a thorough literature search on these terms for her
masters thesis and found much confusion. She thinks (and I agree) that much
of the fear of "clipping babies tongues" is due to NOT distinguishing the
simple frenotomy procedure from the complex frenectomy.  Most babies only
need a frenotomy.

Do yourself a favor and get a copy of her thesis. It's well worth the money
and is an excellent tool. Alison's e-mail is  [log in to unmask]

Linda J. Smith, BSE, FACCE, IBCLC
Bright Future Lactation Resource Centre
Dayton, OH USA
http://www.bflrc.com