Psychosocial and Health-Related Experiences of Individuals With Microtia and Craniofacial Microsomia and Their Families: Narrative Review Over 2 Decades.
Alexis L JohnsNicola Marie StockBruna CostaKristin Billaud FeragenCanice E CrerandPublished in: The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (2022)
Care involved multiple specialties and was often experienced as stressful starting at diagnosis. Psychosocial and neurocognitive functioning were generally in the average range, with possible risk for social and language concerns. Coping and resiliency were described into adulthood. Satisfaction and positive benefit of ear reconstruction/canaloplasty were high. Care recommendations include increasing: hearing amplification use, microtia and CFM knowledge among providers, efficient treatment coordination, psychosocial support, academic assistance, and advances to minimize surgical scarring. This broad literature overview informs clinical practice and research to improve psychosocial outcomes.