Abstract

Background: According to the report of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, looking at the main reasons requiring nursing care by age group, elderly people aged 75 and over, falls and fractures increase. The purpose of this study was to investigate the trends and characteristic features of maxillofacial fractures in over 75 years old, late stage of elderly patients.
Patients and Methods: Records of patients who were treated for maxillofacial fractures at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department (Biopathology) of Okayama University hospital from January 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical records were analyzed in terms of age, gender, etiology, relevant medical history, and anatomical site of fracture. Patients (n=103) were divided into two groups by age: <75 years and elderly (75 older).
Results: Falls were responsible for the majority of fractures in the elderly group (81%). The condylar process was the most common fracture site (53.8%), among which cases 85.7% were accompanied with dislocation. The depth of the mandibular fossa was significantly shallower in the elderly than in young (age 10–29 years) patients.
Conclusion: In planning treatment, it is important to understand the characteristics and disease state of maxillofacial fractures of the elderly.