Abstract
BackgroundThe present study aimed to determine whether laypeople and professionals rate the facial appearance of individuals with repaired complete unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP, BCLP) similarly based on viewing full facial images.MethodsThe study followed a cross-sectional analytical design where five young patients aged 10 to 14 years, who had completed all stages of their unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate treatment (bilateral: three, unilateral: two), were evaluated by two groups. The assessment was done by laypeople and 97 qualified professionals (33 orthodontists, 32 plastic surgeons, and 32 oral and maxillofacial surgeons). Professionals were not involved in any stage of the patients’ treatment.ResultsThe facial appearance assessment of the professional groups on different facial aesthetics was significantly lower than that of laypeople, and they had higher perceived need for further treatment. On the other hand, laypeople had higher aesthetic ratings and lower perceived need for further treatment. Differences were also observed between the assessments of the professional groups. Participants who had lower aesthetic assessments of the repair tended to report a higher influence of cleft lip and palate on social activities and professional life.ConclusionDifferences in perception exist between healthcare professionals and laypeople. The discrepancies between the professional groups could be attributed to different treatment modalities and protocols.
Highlights
The present study aimed to determine whether laypeople and professionals rate the facial appearance of individuals with repaired complete unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP, Bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP)) based on viewing full facial images
The assessment was done by laypeople, parents of other cleft lip and palate patients, and 97 qualified professionals (33 orthodontists, 32 plastic surgeons, and 32 oral and maxillofacial surgeons)
Ninety-seven healthcare professionals and 100 laypeople participated in the study, of which 83 (42.1%) were females, and 114 (57.8%) were males
Summary
The present study aimed to determine whether laypeople and professionals rate the facial appearance of individuals with repaired complete unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP, BCLP) based on viewing full facial images. Lip and Achieving the surgical goal of the repair should include the creation of an intact and appropriately sized upper lip to compensate for the loss of philtrum height on the cleft side, repair of the underlying muscular structure, and primary repair of nasal deformity [5]. Alhayek et al Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2019) 41:5 used to treat cleft lip and palate result in the formation of scar tissue, which to various degrees inhibits growth in the entire maxillary complex [6], and this comprises one of the limitations faced by experts. Friede and Katsaros reported that under the correct circumstances upon which the functional rehabilitation can be successful [8], patients seem to have concerns about the appearance of cleft-related features [3, 9]
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