Correlation Between Patient Satisfaction and Surgeon Evaluation of Long-Term Nasolabial Outcomes in Unilateral Cleft Lip Repair.

BACKGROUND

Achieving a well-balanced and symmetrical facial appearance is a primary objective in cleft lip and palate repair. The long-term nasolabial appearance serves as a key indicator of surgical success. This study aims to assess the correlation between patient satisfaction and surgeon evaluation of nasolabial outcomes following unilateral cleft lip repair. It explores whether patient satisfaction may serve as a reliable indicator of long-term surgical success.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using records of patients with unilateral cleft lip who underwent surgical repair by the Reconstructive Science Unit at Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital. Inclusion criteria required that patients had undergone lip repair before the age of two and were at least 14 years old at the time of follow-up assessment. A total of 50 patients met these criteria and were included in the analysis. Surgeon assessments and patient-reported satisfaction regarding nasolabial appearance were extracted and analyzed to evaluate their correlation.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between surgeon assessments and patient-reported satisfaction with nasolabial appearance. A statistically significant association was found between surgeon evaluations and patient satisfaction (χ²(1) = 14.881, p < .001), indicating that higher surgeon-rated outcomes were associated with greater patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a significant correlation between surgeon evaluations and patient satisfaction with long-term nasolabial appearance, suggesting that patient satisfaction may serve as a practical and meaningful indicator for assessing long-term surgical outcomes in unilateral cleft lip repair.