**2.1 Patients**

*Current Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate*

patient [4].

individual experiences [5].

treatment, such as phonotherapy.

tion of speech, and language [7–9].

quality of life aspects as the child matures [4].

they assess their quality of life [10].

facial appearance.

orthodontists).

The quality of life (QoL) is a complex multidimensional and subjective concept in permanent evolution. The study of QoL can be an instrument of evaluation of the daily impact of an individual with CL or CLP operated. It is an integral part of the evaluation of results as well as the satisfaction of the surgeon and that of the

The issue of QoL is attracting increasing the interest from many researchers. It is a concept that groups together different areas of life and is strongly subject to

made, the child's removal can occur but also ownership [6].

The QoL of a patient with a cranio-facial deformity is already influenced at birth by the impact of the disease on the newborn, the parents, and the family. The birth of a child with a cleft lip and palate raises controversial feelings among parents especially the mother. The relationship with the child is dominated by the notion of "who," which cannot be separated from "what we are." The abnormal child is not only the beloved child but also an unknown stranger. Once the diagnosis has been

The QoL of individuals with cranio-facial diseases is challenged throughout life,

This otherness and especially the differences in appearance often involve varying degrees of facial scars, and dentition variations, such as missing teeth, limita-

Several studies have described the psychological and social burden in children

In addition, the new concept of health proposes to measure the oral health of

The judgment of the functional and esthetic results of surgery has always been traditionally performed by clinicians (surgeons, speech therapists, and

Quality of life brings together a number of distinct branches (appearance, speech, facial growth, and psychosocial interaction). In addition, the importance lies in how these different areas could change from the period of childish development to adulthood. As a result, a questionnaire for the cleft lip and palate population could be able to address areas of importance and be aware of any changes in

There are very few studies that illustrate how patients feel after surgery and how

To adequately measure the quality of life of patients with cleft lip and palate, an instrument showing the clinically significant scientific findings reported by the patient that specifically addresses quality of life issues in patients with cleft lip and palate is required. These are questionnaires that quantify QoL and/or other significant outcome variables (e.g., satisfaction, symptoms, and function) from the patient's point of view. The lack of a tool specific to this population with orofacial

The objective of our study was to assess the quality of life of patients operated by a cleft lip or cleft lip and palate as well as the perception of quality of life of the patients perceived by their parents through a quality of life scale adapted to the age

clefts has been identified as a major research gap that should be filled.

with CLP and reported that these patients have significantly more behavioral problems, as well as more symptoms of depression, and are less satisfied with their

people in relation to general health and psychosocial well-being [7].

given the conditions themselves and the treatments needed to be done. In other words, age and time the frameworks in which optimal care and quality of life must coordinate perfectly. These children with CLP experience a number of psychosocial risks, including medical appointments and assessments, surgery, feeding difficulties, appearance differences, as well as the possibility of need for early special

**86**

of the patients.

This study is a monocentric cross-sectional descriptive analytical survey on a sample of 40 adolescents (25 boys and 15 girls) aged between 12 and 16 (average age of 12.53 ±1.65 years) operated with a cleft lip (CL) (n = 12) or cleft lip and palate (CLP) (n = 28) and their parents.

Patients operated on for cleft palate only were excluded from the sample.

The survey was conducted at the "Opération Smile" center in Casablanca (Morocco) among patients with a cleft lip and palate treated at the center over a period of 4 months, and only one interviewer was responsible for data collection.
