SOC
Surgery on Children

Surgery on Children Journal aims to publish issues related to Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery, Pediatric Plastic Surgery, Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Pediatric Vascular Surgery, Pediatric Gynecology and Obstetrics, Pediatric Ear Nose Throat, Ophthalmology, Pediatric Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Pediatric Urology, Pediatric Surgical Intensive Care Clinic, and other clinical surgery fields on children of the highest scientific and clinical value at an international level and accepts articles on these topics.

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Case Report
Congenital trifid tongue with macroglossia: a rare orofacial anomaly
Abstract
Trifid tongue is a rare congenital structural anomaly in which the anterior portion of the tongue is divided into three segments. It is most often associated with syndromic conditions such as orofacial digital syndrome, while isolated cases are extremely rare. Neonates with trifid tongue may present with airway obstruction, feeding difficulty, and drooling, necessitating early intervention. A 10-day-old full-term male neonate weighing 3 kg was admitted with feeding difficulty, drooling of saliva, choking episodes, transient apnea, constipation, and abdominal distension. He had macroglossia since birth and was unable to breastfeed. Physical examination revealed a markedly hypertrophied tongue protruding from the oral cavity, preventing mouth closure. Surgical correction was performed using excision of the central tongue lobe and trimming of the medial aspects of the lateral lobes, followed by layered closure with absorbable sutures, preserving lingual neurovascular structures. Postoperatively, tongue size was uniformly reduced, with good mobility and mouth closure. The patient achieved effective sucking and feeding by the third postoperative day. Congenital trifid tongue is an exceptionally rare anomaly. Early surgical management can result in excellent functional outcomes. Comprehensive evaluation to exclude associated syndromes is recommended.

Keywords : Trifid tongue, macroglossia, cleft palate, neonate, tongue reduction surgery

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Article available in :
Volume 3, Issue 2, 2026
Page : 61-64
https://doi.org/10.51271/SOC-0071
Article Information
Received : 13 Oca 2026
Accepted : 25 Şub 2026
Published : 27 Nis 2026
Corresponding Author :

Amna Idrees: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

[email protected]
Citation : Ilyas S, Idrees A, Sheikh MA. Congenital trifid tongue with macroglossia: a rare orofacial anomaly. Surg Child. 2026;3(2):61-64. doi:10.51271/SOC-0071

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