Is age of the patient an independent predictor influencing the management of cranio-maxillo-facial trauma? A retrospective study of 308 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether patient age is an independent predictor of indication for surgical treatment, realization of surgical procedure, and care management modality.


METHODS
We analyzed data of 308 patients with facial fractures. Patients were classified into four age groups: (1) 17 to 40 years old; (2) 41 to 64 years old; (3) 65 to 80 years old; (4) more than 81 years old.


RESULTS
Multivariate analysis showed that the patient's age was associated with decreased indication and realization rate for surgery (P = .03 in Group 3; P = .05 in Group 4) and with an increased hospitalization rate (P = .004 in Group 3; P = .02 in Group 4). The presence of concomitant injuries and the fracture's location were associated with a decreased indication and realization rate for surgery regardless age.


CONCLUSIONS
The current study demonstrated that the patient's age was an independent predictor influencing the treatment decision and realization process as well as the care management modality.
Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Geneva & University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Benoît
B
Imholz
CRC & Division of Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Health and Community Medicine, University of Geneva & University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Christophe
C
Combescure
Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Geneva & University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: paolo.scolozzi@hcuge.ch.
Paolo
P
Scolozzi
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008446:Maxillofacial Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013557:Switzerland; D016896:Treatment Outcome