The comparison of psychological adjustment of patients with cleft lip and palate after maxillary distraction osteogenesis and conventional orthognathic surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to compare the psychological changes of patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) undergoing maxillary Le Fort I advancement by distraction osteogenesis (DO) and conventional orthognathic surgery (CO).


METHODS
Prospective randomized controlled study. Participants completed a set of questionnaires to measure their psychological states preoperatively and postoperatively.


RESULTS
When compared with CO, CLP patients treated with DO had lower social self-esteem and higher social avoidance and distress levels during the first 3 postoperative months. Their self-esteem, social avoidance, and distress levels improved after the distractors were removed. Both CO and DO patients had similar levels of self-esteem, social avoidance, and distress levels 2 years postoperatively. The CLP patients treated with DO were more satisfied with their lives after 2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
DO may induce short-term distress to patients up to 3 months but CLP patients who received DO were more satisfied with their lives in the long term.
Discipline of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Hannah Daile P
HD
Chua
Samuel M Y
SM
Ho
Lim Kwong
LK
Cheung
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000523:psychology*; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult