Tongue‑tie surgery in Denmark affected 7,026 infants under one year in 2024—a 69% rise since 2017—according to new figures attributed to the Danish Health Data Authority (Sundhedsdatastyrelsen). The Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen) says frenotomy should not be performed unless there is a clear clinical indication.
What tongue‑tie is—and why surgery is considered
Tongue‑tie (ankyloglossia) is a condition in which the lingual frenulum, a thin band of tissue under the tongue, restricts tongue mobility. In newborns, a short or tight frenulum can hinder an effective latch, causing breastfeeding difficulties and maternal nipple pain.
Frenotomy—cutting the restrictive frenulum, usually with scissors in Denmark—is intended to improve latch and relieve pain.Evidence shows short‑term maternal pain relief after the procedure, while effects on infant feeding are less consistent; Danish and international reviews therefore urge cautious, case‑by‑case use.
Randomised trials and systematic reviews consistently find reduced maternal nipple pain shortly after frenotomy, while improvements in infant feeding outcomes are uncertain. Danish ENT guidance notes that while many families report relief, not all infants benefit, and careful differential assessment is needed to avoid unnecessary procedures.
Health authority guidance: limit frenotomy to breastfeeding problems
Reports based on health‑registry data indicate that 4,165 infants underwent frenotomy in 2017, peaking at 7,759 in 2022, and reaching 7,026 in 2024. The rising trend has been noted for both hospital and private ENT practice activity.
Sundhedsstyrelsen’s national clinical guideline recommends structured assessment (e.g., the TABBY tool) and qualified lactation support before any operation. The guideline recognises possible benefits but rates the overall quality of evidence as low, highlighting bleeding, infection, and lack of effect as potential risks.
It also advises analgesia for the infant and discourages mobilising aftercare exercises. In practice, breastfeeding problems are the only recognised indication for infant frenotomy in Denmark.
Cross‑border procedures reflect parental concerns
Clinicians report that some Danish parents seek frenotomy abroad, including in the Netherlands, when domestic assessments do not recommend surgery. Researchers and professional bodies point to online discussions and mixed advice from different practitioners as factors shaping expectations and contributing to possible overtreatment.
Danish public‑health guidance recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months and partial breastfeeding thereafter when mother and child thrive. Authorities emphasise that most latch problems can be addressed through lactation support and positioning techniques; surgery is a last resort when structured evaluation shows tongue‑tie is the likely cause.
