Recommendations for Care of Geriatric Maxillofacial Trauma Patients Following a Retrospective 10-Year Multicenter Review

Abstract

The information gained from this study suggests that oral and maxillofacial surgeons should counsel geriatric patients on the risk of falls and encourage the prevention of potential hazards for falls in their homes.

Changing trends in epidemiology and management of facial trauma in a Swiss geriatric population

“…While children and adolescents mainly suffer facial fractures related to sports activities, bicycle falls and interpersonal violence, the majority of geriatric patients are injured in falls, with females involved significantly more often . The higher share of women might be explained in part by the percentage of women in this study, as well as their greater life expectancy .…”

“…While children and adolescents mainly suffer facial fractures related to sports activities, bicycle falls and interpersonal violence, 20,21 the majority of geriatric patients are injured in falls, with females involved significantly more often. 4,15,[21][22][23][24] The higher share of women might be explained in part by the percentage of women in this study, as well as their greater life expectancy. 25 In contrast, men more often suffer work-related injuries or injuries in traffic accidents, due to their later retirement and their difficulty accepting somatic limitations of ageing such as diminished audio-visual capacity and reduced reaction times.…”

“…The gender distribution points to a dominance of the female sex. Fractures in the maxillofacial area most frequently affect the midface, with fractures of the zygoma, orbit and nasal bone most commonly found …”

“…Fractures in the maxillofacial area most frequently affect the midface, with fractures of the zygoma, orbit and nasal bone most commonly found. 14,15 Major surgical procedures on very elderly patients can be performed with good results. Even radical oncological operations make sense in old age, given the increases in life expectancy.…”

Management of maxillofacial trauma in the elderly: A European multicenter study

“…Management of maxillofacial trauma in the geriatric population poses a great challenge due to anatomical variations and medical comorbidities . Moreover, the frequency of old patients sustaining craniofacial trauma due to an increase in the aging population is leading to a progressive increase of importance of this topic in clinical maxillofacial practice …”