Abstrakt
The final result of cleft lip and palate treatment not only depends on the extent of the inborn defect, the development of the affected area, individual healing ability, and the therapeutic method used, but also on additional factors such as the patient's cooperation and the subjective perception of his or her deformity. Despite the considerable mental and physical demands associated with a lengthy treatment spanning from early childhood to adulthood, some patients perceive the affection so dominantly, that they are in a constant search for a possible perfection of their appearance.
A typical facial deformity along with poor speech formation interferes with all channels of communication. Since 85% of professions presently depend on the exchange of information, the extent of the fault elimination and the quality of speech formation are the primary measures of cleft treatment outcome.