The Effect of Cleft Orthognathic and Nasal Reconstruction on Perceived Social Traits

The investigators hypothesized that a layperson’s social perceptions of an adolescent cleft lip and palate (CL/P) patient are more favorable after orthognathic surgery and definitive nasal reconstruction. METHODS: The investigators implemented a survey comparing layperson’s perception of specific social traits before and >6 months after jaw and nasal reconstruction in CL/P adolescent subjects by viewing standardized facial photographs. The sample was composed of 10 consecutive subjects treated by 1 surgeon from birth through completion of their staged reconstruction. The outcome variable was changed in 6 perceived personality, 6 emotional expression traits, and 7 perceptions of likelihood of positive interpersonal experiences. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Five hundred respondents (raters) completed the survey. The respondents were 58% male with 53% age 25–34. After cleft reconstruction, study subjects were perceived to be significantly more dominant, trustworthy, friendly, intelligent, attractive, and less threatening (P < 0.05). They were also perceived as happier and less angry, surprised, sad, afraid, or disgusted than before surgery (P < 0.05). The subjects were also perceived to be more likely to have positive interpersonal experiences (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We confirmed that laypeople consistently report positive changes in adolescent CL/P subject’s perceived social traits after bimaxillary and chin orthognathic surgery followed by definitive nasal reconstruction.