The purpose of this study was to analyze maxillofacial trauma sustained by patients at least 75 years old. With the injury patterns identified, treatment recommendations for the contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgeon are made.This study was a retrospective case series using data from 2 level 1 trauma centers. The variables of interest included age at traumatic event, gender, mechanism of trauma, concomitant injuries, radiographic studies performed, management of maxillofacial injuries, and disposition. Numerical analysis was completed with statistical software.One hundred seventy-six patients at least 75 years old who sustained facial trauma were identified. Ground-level falls caused most cases of maxillofacial trauma in the geriatric population. The median age at the time of trauma was 83 and 85 years for men and women, respectively. The most common injuries were midface fractures. Intracranial hemorrhage was the most common concomitant injury, and all but 1 patient underwent computed tomography of at least the head after their traumatic event. Most maxillofacial injuries were treated without operative repair.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.
1.1. One of a number of normal gingival entities that resemble pathologic symptoms is described and referred to as the retrocuspid papilla because of its characteristic position lingual to the mandibular cuspid.2.2. This papilla is evidently a normal entity because of its presence in over 99 per cent of a group of more than one hundred children.3.3. It is considered an anatomic landmark because of its constantly definite relationship to the cuspid in the normal dental arch.4.4. The findings of a survey of patients in several age groups from childhood to old age are presented, indicating a gradual but definite progressive disappearance of the papilla with increased age.5.5. A histologic report based on the examination of fifty-eight sections from fourteen biopsies, is presented.6.6. The papilla varies in size and form and simulates corresponding pathologic gingival manifestations from which it must be differentiated. It is for this reason principally that the presentation of this report is considered pertinent.
