MANAGEMENT OF MAXILLOFACIAL TRAUMA IN GERIATRIC POPULATION

Abstract

Aims (Background)- - It has been hypothesized that maxillofacial trauma associated injuries are more frequent and severe in elderly than in younger adult patients. Increasing age puts a trauma patient into a higher risk category and older patients sustaining major trauma are known to have higher complication and mortality rates than the younger counterparts. Through this study, we aim to emphasize on managing maxillofacial trauma in geriatric population by making selective modifications in the algorithms regarding assessment, surgical indications and techniques of treatment commonly applied to the care of trauma victims. Materials and Methods- A total of 720 patients sustaining facial fractures over a period of 2012-2016 were considered for the study. Out of these 720 patients, 71 patients above the age group of 60 years were taken into account. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the results obtained in the management of geriatric patients. Results- Through our study we found out that the pattern of most geriatric injuries was due to fall (51.6%). Most of them suffered lower third injuries of the face followed by upper and middle third. Out of the 43 patients who suffered facial fractures, 8 patients required no surgical intervention considering their age and other comorbidities. Rest 35 patients were treated with ORIF under General Anesthesia. Conclusion- The protocol for geriatric patient management for maxillofacial trauma is more or less the same as other patients. Thorough care should be taken in diagnosis and treatment planning of these patients to achieve a good outcome.