NICE interventional procedure guidance
Issued: December 2005
IPG149

Division of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) for breastfeeding

This is an extract from the guidance. The complete guidance is available at guidance.nice.org.uk/ipg149

1 Guidance

1.1 Current evidence suggests that there are no major safety concerns about division of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) and limited evidence suggests that this procedure can improve breastfeeding. This evidence is adequate to support the use of the procedure provided that normal arrangements are in place for consent, audit and clinical governance.

1.2 Division of ankyloglossia (tongue-tie) for breastfeeding should only be performed by registered healthcare professionals who are properly trained.

1.3 Publication of further controlled trials on the effect of the procedure on successful long-term breastfeeding will be useful.