Postoperative Parents’ Satisfaction in Cases of Simple Unilateral Cleft Lip Repaired by Millard’s Procedure

Abstract

Background: Cleft lip is the second most common congenital anomaly (after club foot) accounting for about 13% of all congenital anomalies, and the overall incidence is 1 in 1000 live births. An individual with a disfigurement may be more prone to developing psychological problems. Patient and parent satisfaction is a key indicator of treatment quality. Objective: The purpose of this study was to improve satisfaction after repaired simple unilateral cleft lip by Millard’s procedure. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective cohort study including 24 patients with unilateral cleft lip. The study was performed in the Pediatric Surgery Department, Zagazig University Hospitals. The study was performed in the period from September 2020 to May 2021. All patients were subjected to full history taking, general and local examinations and investigations; including complete blood count and coagulation profile tests. Results: There was statistically significant relation between severity of cleft lip and symmetry at the Cupid’s bow p=0.043 and nasal symmetry p=0.002. It was obvious that incomplete cleft lip had hundred percent good result regarding symmetry at the Cupid’s bow and nose while there was statistically insignificant relation between parents opinion about symmetry and severity of cleft lip p>0.05. Conclusions: Counseling the parents and thereby motivating them and educating them regarding the cleft and the various procedures by which the deformity can be tackled are one of the most important aspects of treatment.