Surgeons warn of dangers of tongue splitting
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- Published: Thursday, 16 August 2018 07:36
- Written by News Editor
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The craze for tongue splitting is leaving people open to serious risk of haemorrhage, infection and nerve damage, surgeons have warned. The warnings come after a recent study found that more than half of tongue piercings and 20% of lip piercings result in complications. Selina Master, of the FDS RCS said dentists had seen some ’horrific consequences’ of such procedures.
The procedure - which involves cutting a person’s tongue so it resembles that of a lizard - has become a global phenomenon in recent years. Despite its popularity, surgeons believe many who undertake the body-modification are painfully unaware of the long-term health risks. Specifically, they cite a number of ’horrific consequences’, including blood loss, infection, nerve damage and problems being able to breathe or swallow. They also say it can cause tooth fractures and painful gum damage.
The warning came in a joint statement issued by the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons and the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons.
Selina Master, of the Royal College of Surgeons dental surgery faculty, said dentists had seen some ’horrific consequences’ of these procedures. ’It’s so important that people realise they are putting themselves at serious risk of significant blood loss, infection, nerve damage and problems being able to breathe or swallow.
Meanwhile, Bapras president David Ward added: ’No reputable surgeon would undertake this procedure as it carries high risks, both at the time of the procedure and long-term, there are no medical reasons for doing it, and in England and Wales. Patients undergoing surgery for cosmetic reasons undergo thorough pre-operative assessment, often including psychological evaluation, but practitioners performing tongue splitting will not have the training and skills required for such appraisals, putting their customers at very significant risk.’
‘Although skin can be cleaned with antiseptic before piercings, the mouth cannot be cleaned in the same way,’ Patrick Magennis, chair of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS), told The Guardian. ‘There is always a mix of germs, good and bad, and breaching the protective lining can let in a life-threatening bug. It is unlikely that this advice will stop those who wish to pierce or modify their mouth or tongue, but people having this done to them must understand the risk and attend an oral and maxillofacial surgery department urgently if an infection begins to develop or if bleeding results.
In addition, the surgeons add that following a recent Court of Appeal ruling, anyone in England and Wales offering tongue splitting is now likely to be doing so illegally. In March, the Court of Appeal found tongue splitting to be illegal when performed by a body modification practitioner for cosmetic purposes, even in instances where consent has been obtained.
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