The causes and consequences of maxillofacial injuries in elderly people

The occurrence of trauma in older people is well-documented; however the incidence of maxillofacial trauma is scarcely reported. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the causes and consequences of maxillofacial trauma in older people.

A five-year (March 95 - March 2000) retrospective study was carried out of all patients over the age of 65 years with facial trauma presenting to Accident and Emergency Department (A&E). The information was collected using the medical notes and discharge summaries.

The Departments of A&E and Maxillofacial Surgery.

A total of 42 patients' records were examined for study related data.

A total of 42 patients were seen during the study period. Thirty-six gave a history of a fall, of which 15 had tripped, 5 had slipped, 3 resulted from a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA), 1 as a result of alcohol abuse, in 1 a prosthetic knee gave way and 11 gave no cause for the fall. Of the remaining 6 patients, 5 were assaulted and 1 had a wardrobe fall on top of him. The majority of the falls occurred during the winter months. Maxillofacial injuries were noted in 27 of the 42 patients. Sixteen patients had cheekbone fractures, 8 mandibular fractures, 2 midface and 1 orbital complex fracture. Twenty-five percent of cheekbone fractures and 50% of mandibular fractures were treated surgically. Medical history was noted in 27 patients.

This study clearly demonstrates the majority of the facial trauma in the older people can be treated conservatively unless the patients complain of functional problems.