Congenital ankyloglossia with deviation of the epiglottis and larynx: symptoms and respiratory function in adults.

We operated on 38 adult patients with congenital ankyloglossia with deviation of the epiglottis and larynx. The results were as follows. 1) Most patients had Angle's class III malocclusion, irregular alignment of the upper teeth, and high hard palate. 2) Fifty percent of the patients in our study population had obstructive respiratory failure. Their vital capacity increased significantly after the operation, but changes of forced expiratory volume in 1 second were not prominent. 3) Subjective symptoms of this disease were stiffness of the shoulders, a cold feeling in the extremities, an obstructed feeling in the throat, insomnia, fatigue, dry skin, irritability and/or anxiety, and nervousness. These improved postoperatively. 4) Objective symptoms included snoring, muscle cramps, difficulty in playing wind instruments, hoarseness, and incorrect articulation. The objective symptoms, except for incorrect articulation, improved postoperatively.