Recommendations for Care of Geriatric Maxillofacial Trauma Patients Following a Retrospective Ten Year Multicenter Review

Publication date: Available online 26 October 2017
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): Robert Shumate, Jason Portnof, Melissa Amundson, Eric Dierks, Robert Batdorf, Patrick Hardigan
PurposeThe purpose of this study was to analyze maxillofacial trauma sustained by patients age 75 years and older. With the injury patterns identified treatment recommendations for the contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgeon are made.Patients and MethodsThis study was a retrospective case series using data from two level I trauma centers. The variables of interest included age at traumatic event, gender, mechanism of trauma, concomitant injuries, radiographic studies performed, management of maxillofacial injuries, and disposition. Numerical analysis was completed with statistical software.ResultsOne hundred and seventy-six patients age 75 years and older who sustained facial trauma were identified. Ground level falls cause the majority of maxillofacial trauma in the geriatric population. The median age at the time of trauma was 83 and 85 for men and women respectively. The most common injuries were midface fractures. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most common concomitant injury, and all but one patient underwent computed tomography (CT) of at least the head after their traumatic event. The majority of the maxillofacial injuries were treated without operative repair.ConclusionsThe information gained from this study suggests that oral and maxillofacial surgeons should counsel geriatric patients regarding risk of falls, as well as encourage prevention of potential hazards for falls in their homes.



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