The
Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal – Advancements in medical science
are astounding. You may no longer need corrective lenses due to an outpatient
laser procedure, 15 pounds can be shed with a body wrap, and there is even
surgical “super glue.” Unfortunately, there are still some things that require
longer treatment processes, and cleft lip and palate (CLP) is one of them. With
approximately 1 of 700 babies born each year with CLP, the need for an improved
course of action is a necessity.
The treatment process begins from
when these newborns are just a few weeks old when they undergo their first of
multiple surgeries that continue through adulthood. This is a long, painstaking
routine, and how each individual perceives him/herself throughout will help
determine the level of difficulty they will suffer along the way. The article “Living
With Cleft Lip and Palate: The Treatment Journey,” in the The Cleft
Palate–Craniofacial Journal, provides an in-depth look at how the
treatment process can affect a person during different stages of their life,
and the impact it has on the person they become.
A study
was conducted in which 11 participants with CLP shared their experiences from
childhood to adulthood through a series of interviews. These interviews
revealed what a strong impact CLP had on their self-perceptions. Some
interviewees expressed great difficulty from an early age due to the pain and
fatigue of the multiple surgeries as a child combined with feelings of
discouragement when segregated in special clinics or waiting rooms. These
struggles along with bullying from their peers made them feel “decrepit.” This
led to an extremely negative self-perception in adulthood and the feeling of
need for additional cosmetic surgeries, hoping for a “magic” fix.
On the other hand, some
participants had a very positive treatment process during their childhood. They
had wonderful relationships with their healthcare providers, a closeness with
their caretakers during the long trips/stays at the hospital, and a feeling of
building strength and maturity during such a painful time. These individuals
did not feel the need as adults to continue with further cosmetic surgery
because they felt a stronger confidence and sense of self.
After analyzing
the interviews and looking at other research on CLP, it is easy to see that
the treatment process is a delicate one. It seems paramount that healthcare
providers, parents, and peers recognize the hardship of living with CLP and
work toward helping the individual cope with the process rather than just
moving them through it. This will have greater psychological benefits, leading
to a strong self-perception as adults.
Full text of the article, “Living
With Cleft Lip and Palate: The Treatment Journey,” The Cleft
Palate–Craniofacial Journal, Vol. 51, No. 2, 2014, is available at http://www.cpcjournal.org/doi/full/10.1597/12-255