Treatment satisfaction and oral health-related quality of life in patients with cleft lip and palate after secondary alveolar bone grafting

Abstract

Secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) using autologous iliac crest cancellous bone is a standard procedure for patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction after bone grafting of the alveolar cleft. Patients who underwent SABG between 2000 and 2010 in one surgical centre were included in this cross-sectional study. Three questionnaires were used, one addressing functional and aesthetic outcomes (nine items), the second being the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-G14), and the third addressing donor site morbidity. A total of 103 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of whom 71 could be contacted, and 52 completed the questionnaires. The majority of the patients (98%) were satisfied with the aesthetic and functional results and reported low donor site morbidity. A significant correlation was found between scores from the patient satisfaction questionnaire and the OHIP-G14. Regarding overall patient satisfaction, the manifestation of the cleft had no significant influence. The questionnaires used allowed the assessment of subjective outcome parameters, but might not be absolutely specific and exclusive for the SABG procedure in the framework of comprehensive CLP therapy. Nevertheless, SABG using autologous iliac crest cancellous bone can be considered a highly satisfactory procedure.