Megarasu Deepanjali, Pedamally Manodh, Ramu Shivani, Ramanathan Manikandhan, Tangutur Srinivasa Prasad, Karunakaran Ponnazhagan
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil nadu, India.
Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil nadu, India.
Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2025 Mar 20;29(1):68. doi: 10.1007/s10006-025-01370-2.
Cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CLP) is among the most prevalent congenital anomalies, with significant long-term impacts on oral health and psychosocial well-being. Despite multiple surgeries aimed at enhancing both functionality and aesthetics, individuals' perceptions of quality of life (QoL) can vary widely. This study sought to examine the long-term effects of corrective surgeries for orofacial clefts (OFC) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in South India, comparing outcomes between treated CLP patients and apparently healthy individuals.
The study included 200 treated CLP patients and 200 healthy controls. Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) -14 scale was utilized to assess OHRQoL.
Data analysis compared OHRQoL between the study group and controls. Treated CLP patients exhibited significantly poorer OHRQoL compared to healthy controls across various parameters. While surgical intervention improved certain aspects, challenges in pronunciation, taste sensation, discomfort, and psychological strain persisted. Internal consistency of the OHIP-14 questionnaire was excellent.
The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive care beyond surgery, including psychological support, to address the enduring effects on OHRQoL among CLP patients. Further research is warranted to explore long-term effects and cultural considerations for better supporting this patient population.
唇腭裂（CLP）是最常见的先天性畸形之一，对口腔健康和心理社会福祉有重大的长期影响。尽管进行了多次旨在提高功能和美观的手术，但个体对生活质量（QoL）的认知可能差异很大。本研究旨在调查印度南部口腔颌面裂（OFC）矫正手术对口腔健康相关生活质量（OHRQoL）的长期影响，比较接受治疗的CLP患者与明显健康个体的结果。
该研究纳入了200名接受治疗的CLP患者和200名健康对照。采用口腔健康影响程度量表（OHIP）-14来评估OHRQoL。
数据分析比较了研究组和对照组的OHRQoL。在各个参数方面，接受治疗的CLP患者的OHRQoL明显低于健康对照。虽然手术干预改善了某些方面，但发音、味觉、不适和心理压力方面的挑战仍然存在。OHIP-14问卷的内部一致性良好。
研究结果强调，除手术外还需要全面护理，包括心理支持，以解决CLP患者OHRQoL的持久影响。有必要进行进一步研究，以探索长期影响和文化因素，以便更好地支持这一患者群体。
