Elderly patients with maxillofacial trauma: the effect of an ageing population on a maxillofacial unit's workload

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify the aetiology and management of facial fractures in patients over 60 years old and to identify potential trends in caseload to assist with planning of resources for maxillofacial services in the coming decades. We made a prospective study over 2 yea...

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Published in:	British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery Vol. 51; no. 2; pp. 128 - 132
Main Authors:	Velayutham, Lalethadevi, Sivanandarajasingam, Arthiparan, O’Meara, Connor, Hyam, Dylan
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2013
Subjects:	Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data Adolescent Adult Aetiology Age Factors Aged Aged, 80 and over Australian Capital Territory - epidemiology Caseload Child Child, Preschool Dentistry Elderly Facial Bones - injuries Female Humans Infant Injury Severity Score Length of Stay - statistics & numerical data Male Mandibular Fractures - epidemiology Maxillary Fractures - epidemiology Maxillofacial Maxillofacial Injuries - epidemiology Middle Aged Population Dynamics Prospective Studies Sex Factors Skull Fractures - epidemiology Surgery Surgery Department, Hospital - organization & administration Trauma Workload - statistics & numerical data Young Adult Zygomatic Fractures - epidemiology Australian Capital Territory Caseload Trauma Elderly Aetiology Maxillofacial
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Summary:	Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify the aetiology and management of facial fractures in patients over 60 years old and to identify potential trends in caseload to assist with planning of resources for maxillofacial services in the coming decades. We made a prospective study over 2 years (2009–2010), during which all injured patients referred to the oral and maxillofacial surgery unit at The Canberra Hospital, Australia were recruited. The patients were classified into two groups: less than 60 years old (younger group); or 60 years old or more (older group). Factors studied included sex, age, aetiology, site of fractures, severity scored using the Maxillofacial Injury Severity Score (MFISS), and management. Based on current trends, the expected workload was extrapolated. A total of 470 patients were recruited (younger: n = 430 and older: n = 40). Falls were the most common cause of fracture in the older group (85%) and the zygoma (40%) was the bone most commonly fractured. The mean (SD) MFISS for the older group was 3.8 (2.2) (17% of these maxillofacial injuries were operated on) and 6.0 (5.0) for the younger group (72% of these were operated on). In Australia, population trends suggest that older people as a proportion of the total population will rise from about 20% of 22 million to 26% of 30 million by 2034. As the older group increases there will be a corresponding increase in the number of older people who present with trauma to maxillofacial units. The overall maxillofacial surgical workload will probably not increase much because the injuries tend to be less severe and are less likely to require operation.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0266-4356 1532-1940
DOI:	10.1016/j.bjoms.2012.05.003