Aesthetic outcome and the need for revision of unilateral cleft lip repair at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

BACKGROUND

The Millard method of unilateral cleft lip repair has been associated with a short lip and a flattened nose on the cleft side. The aim of this study was to determine the need for revision surgery following repair of unilateral cleft lip repair at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

METHOD

Satisfaction with facial appearance (upper lip, nose and general facial appearance) was assessed quantitatively by means of a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 cm indicates totally unsatisfied or "highly unattractive" and 10 cm indicates totally satisfied or "highly attractive". Three assessors--parents, surgeon and lay-person--were purposively selected to score their level of satisfaction with repair of complete and incomplete unilateral cleft lip. The assessors also indicated the need for any revision.

RESULTS

The total sample size was 120, of which 40.0% were male and 60.0% were female. There were 79 cases of repaired complete unilateral cleft lip and 41 incomplete unilateral cleft lip. Average scores of satisfaction of parents were 6.6, 6.8 and 7.2 for nose, lip and general facial appearance (GFA) respectively. Satisfaction scores for surgeon were 6.1(nose), 6.0 (lip) and 6.5 (GFA), while those of the lay-assessor were 5.2(nose), 5.4 (lip) and 6.0(GFA). Concerning the need for revision, parents indicated 30.2% as needing revision, surgeon 33%; and lay-assessor 40%. Of the cases that needed revision, 33.3% were complete cleft lip and 0.1% were incomplete cleft lip.

CONCLUSION

Parents were more satisfied with unilateral cleft lip repair using the Millard procedure than either the surgeon or lay assessor. Those who needed revision were mostly children who presented with complete unilateral cleft lip.