Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40990400›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of paediatric dentistry2026

Lingual Frenotomy in Breastfeeding Infants: An Umbrella Review.

Bruno Valério da Silva, Amanda Vieira Barollo, Normanda da Nóbrega Lima Sá, Luciana Butini Oliveira, Luciana Faria Sanglard

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of paediatric dentistry, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Lingual frenotomy for breastfeeding difficulties: indications, surgical techniques and multidisciplinary care in infants and young children.European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Bruno Valério da SilvaFederal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5860-8891
Amanda Vieira BarolloFederal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9756-5988
Normanda da Nóbrega Lima SáFaculdade São Leopoldo Mandic, Campinas, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3729-286X
Luciana Butini OliveiraFaculdade São Leopoldo Mandic, Campinas, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8755-6540
Luciana Faria SanglardFederal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2520-7062

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundClinical diagnosis of ankyloglossia and its therapeutic management through lingual frenotomy (LF) have increased in several countries. However, systematic reviews (SRs) and experts opinions show conflicting results on this topic.

aimTo synthesize the available knowledge with a critical evaluation of SRs on LF in infants up to 1 year of age on breastfeeding-related outcomes.

designAn umbrella review was carried out. Searches were conducted (seven electronic databases, gray literature). SRs of clinical trials involving infants up to 1 year of age undergoing LF to treat maternal self-efficacy related to breastfeeding, nipple pain, and/or weight gain were included. The articles were critically analyzed (AMSTAR 2).

resultsWe identified 272 studies; 15 SRs were included. Confidence was classified as critically low (n = 14; 93.3%) and moderate (n = 1; 6.7%). Fourteen SRs had more than two critical aspects, indicating that the studies were not conducted properly.

conclusionThe evidence on the efficacy of LF in infants remains inconclusive in relation to breastfeeding outcomes, especially maternal self-efficacy related to breastfeeding and weight gain. Evidence of benefit for the treatment of breast pain is weak. Overdiagnosis of ankyloglossia may lead to overtreatment of the condition, without high-quality evidence to support the benefits of this procedure.

Indexed as

AnkyloglossiaBreast FeedingLingual FrenumFemaleHumansInfantankyloglossiainfantlingual frenotomy

Identifiers

PMID40990400
PMCPMC12783447

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.