Facial appearance in adults who had cleft lip and palate treated in childhood

Abstract

Sixty-eight adults (44 men and 24 women) with treated total cleft lip and palate were compared with a group of 66 adults (49 men and 17 women) without clefts, matched by sex and age. The outcome measures included a self-report questionnaire about body image, quality of life in general, health-related quality of life, somatisation, and depression. The group with clefts were also asked if they had further need of treatment. They reported significantly more dissatisfaction with their facial appearance (nose, lips, mouth, profile, and overall facial appearance) than the group without clefts. Satisfaction with facial appearance was significantly correlated with a better quality of life in both groups, and significantly correlated with a better health-related quality of life and a lower grade of somatisation in the group with clefts. Dissatisfaction with facial appearance was the most significant predictor of depression in both groups. A panel of four professionals from a cleft lip and palate treatment team judged the outcome of treatment in 64 of the subjects on colour slides. The professionals and the subjects with clefts were generally not very satisfied with the results of the surgical outcome. Thirty of the subjects with clefts (47%) wished to have more operations. The professional group recommended further operations in 38 of the cases (59%), in particular, rhinoplasties. We conclude that the subjects with treated clefts were not satisfied with their facial appearance, although they seem to be psychosocially well-adjusted to their disability.