Forty-eight @entity1 over 60 years of age who had sustained blunt @entity764 were evaluated by injury, treatment, survival, and return to preinjury function. The @entity1 ranged in age from 60-92 years (mean 72). The cause of injury was a fall in 25 (52.1%) and motor vehicle accident in 20 (41.7%). Twenty-three (47.9%) @entity1 had major @entity130 . The average Injury Severity Score was 18 (range 5-41). Seven (14.6%) @entity1 were treated with ventilation; six of these @entity1 had flail chests, and four (57.1%) intubated @entity1 developed @entity358 . Nonventilatory therapy was utilized in 41 (85.4%) @entity1 ; there were two (4.9%) treatment failures who required subsequent intubation. Six of 41 (14.6%) developed @entity55 . There was one death overall, yielding a mortality rate of 2.1%. Forty-three (89.6%) @entity1 were discharged home: 39 (81.3%) to an independent life and four (8.3%) requiring partial assistance. Four (8.3%) required long term nursing home care. Severe @entity764 alone does not forecast a poor outcome in the elderly. Most elderly @entity1 who sustain blunt @entity764 will be able to return to an independent life. Nonventilatory therapy, where indicated, is preferred to reduce severe @entity358 . Antecedent nutritional depletion may indicate the need for ventilatory therapy in the elderly @entity764 @entity1 .

Blunt XXXX in the elderly.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity55 :: ('MESH:D011014', 'Disease') :: ['pneumonia'] @entity764 :: ('MESH:D013898', 'Disease') :: ['chest trauma'] @entity358 :: ('MESH:D008171', 'Disease') :: ['pulmonary complications'] @entity130 :: ('MESH:D014947', 'Disease') :: ['extrathoracic injuries']
@entity764 :: (MESH:D013898,Disease) :: ['chest trauma']
