Before Surgery
At just 3 years old, this little boy had already shown signs of delayed speech development. While he could say basic monosyllabic words like “amma” (mother), “naanna” (father), and “taatha” (grandfather) in Telugu, more complex words were a struggle. His parents noticed that while his speech improved marginally over six months, he still found it difficult to articulate longer words.
Medical examinations revealed a tongue-tie, a condition present since birth that restricted the mobility of his tongue. This made speech development challenging as he couldn’t extend his tongue beyond his teeth. After consultations with doctors, his family decided to move forward with a tongue-tie release surgery to improve his speech capabilities.
After Surgery
The procedure was carried out under general anesthesia. During surgery, the restricted tissue holding the tongue was carefully released lateral to lateral, extending to the floor of the mouth. The raw area was then sutured in layers from anterior to posterior using fine absorbable sutures, ensuring secure hemostasis with precision bipolar cautery. These sutures are designed to dissolve naturally, eliminating the need for removal.
Post-surgery, the results were remarkable. The boy’s tongue achieved excellent mobility, allowing him to extend it well beyond his teeth for the first time. This newfound range will enable him to pronounce complex sounds and words, unlocking his potential for better speech development.
This story is a testament to how timely medical intervention can pave the way for a brighter, more communicative future for children.
