ENT HEAD AND NECK PROBLEMS AT REFERRAL REHABILITATION CENTER OF SHREE BIRENDRA HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objectives: 
The objective of this study was to find out the burden of ENT-HNS problem of differently abled patients at a residential physical rehabilitation center in Nepal. Though people at a residential physical rehabilitation center have many medical problems alike general population, they are known to less emphasize them since the problems related to their primal condition, spinal cord injury (SCI), overshadows others.
Materials and methods:
This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the department of Ear Nose Throat- Head and Neck Surgery, Shree Birendra Hospital. Recorded data were reviewed of clinical examination findings, pure tone audiometry, and speech and language evaluation of 22 residential differently abled patients and were analysed.
Results: 
There were total 22 male patients with the mean age of 42 years (ranged 26 -74). Majority had spinal cord injury. Deviated nasal septum was the commonest ENT-HNS finding followed by hearing loss. Five of them (22.72%) had speech and language disorder.
Conclusions: 
Patients of physical rehabilitation center have ENT-HNS related problems like DNS, hearing loss, speech and language disorders. However, these problems take less precedence compared to their primary and its associated conditions. Comprehensive check-up and treatment of ENT-HNS problems can contribute to enhance patients’ quality of life.
Keywords: ENT-HNS problems, Physical rehabilitation center, Spinal cord injury