[Assessment of long-term results in cleft lip and palate]

The study concerned 230 patients (175 UCLP and 55 BCLP) aged 14-20, who had been treated in the years 1972-82 in accordance with the Centre for Congenital Defects programme, at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Medical University of Lódź. The follow-up comprised: aesthetic and functional assessment of the lip, upper vestibule and nose as well as evaluation of occlusion and speech abilities (intelligibility, articulation, nasality). The assessment of lip and vestibule gave good and acceptable results in 97% of UCLP patients and in 89% of BCLP. The external nose appeared aesthetically and functionally good in 67% of UCLP and in 94% of BCLP. The defects of occlusion, mainly various forms of cross-bite, were found in 48% of UCLP, who had undergone orthodontic treatment. The maxillo-occlusal defects with no prior orthodontics were found in 63% of UCLP. Alike the defects of occlusion in untreated BCLP were most frequent. The intelligibility and articulation of speech were significantly better in patients who had undertaken the postoperational speech therapy (95%:75%). The assessment in general presented better results in UCLP patients, who had been submitted not only to surgery but also took up orthodontic treatment and speech therapy.