[Psychosocial studies of surgically treated adults with unilateral total lip-maxilla-palate clefts]

The psychological status of 51 adult subjects who had received surgery at the appropriate time for cleft lip-palate was investigated by questionnaire (Giessen test). In respect of social dominance this revealed a significant deviation towards social subordination among those with cleft lips and palates, which is explicable in terms of the lengthy and continuous treatment and appears to be of great importance as a defence and adaptation mechanism to those concerned. The inclusion of psychologists in the interdisciplinary care of cleft lip-palate patients is proposed.