Browsing by Author "Thapa, N"
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Publication Changes in Clinical Practice amongst Nepalese Otolaryngologists during COVID-19 Pandemic(Kathmandu University, 2022) Tripathi, P; Gurung, U; Baidya, S; Thapa, NABSTRACT Background COVID-19 pandemic changed clinical practices more so for otolaryngologists due to inevitable risk of exposure. Objective To assess the changes in the clinical practice among Nepalese otolaryngologists during this pandemic. Method It was an observational study conducted as an online survey in the first two weeks of December 2020. A questionnaire pertaining to changes in clinical practice was mailed to 190 registered otolaryngologists working in various provinces of Nepal. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2007 and analysed in percentages. Result Out of the 77 (40.5%) who responded, nearly 50% resumed clinical practice after a month of national lockdown restarting everyday consultation by 64.9% mostly in hospital setting (81.8%) after screening patients via fever clinic by 87%. Modifications in clinical examinations was mostly done for neck (85.7%), oral cavity (44.2%) and nose (29.8%) examination with least with for ear examination (3.9%) Regular endoscopic evaluation was avoided by 19.4%. Only around 57% used adequate personal protective equipment. There was 93.5% reduction in elective operations. Mandatory COVID test was done by 89.6% mostly with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (95.9%) prior to semi-urgent case. Conclusion Changes in clinical practice were adapted to mitigate viral transmission. The changes were evident in the outpatient department where most patients were screened for fever and modifications made in the clinical examinations. Personal protective equipments were worn when available. Operative lists were limited to semi-urgent and urgent cases with covid testing customarily done for semi-urgent cases. KEY WORDS Aerosols, COVID-19, Otolaryngologists, PandemicPublication Child mortality in Jumla district of Nepal, 1971 through 1995: Trends and socio-economic differentials(Nepal Health Research Council, 2002) Geater, A; Ulstein, M; Thapa, N; Chongsuvivatowng, VPublication Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Anemia in Critically Ill Patients: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study from a Tertiary Intensive Care Unit in Nepal(Kathmandu University, 2025) Simkhada, N; Pathak, S; Thapa, N; Poudel, P; Dhakal, B; Upadhyay, G; Thapa, J; Regmi, A; Ojha, S; Adhikari, SABSTRACT Background Anemia is a common clinical problem among critically ill patients; however, its prognostic significance remains debatable. In low-resource settings, such as Nepal, data are limited. This study evaluated the clinical, laboratory, and outcome profiles of anemia in a tertiary Intensive Care Unit. Objective To assess the clinical characteristics, laboratory features, and outcomes of anemia in critically ill patients admitted to a tertiary Intensive Care Unit in Nepal. Method This retrospective observational study included 113 adult Intensive Care Unit patients with anemia admitted to Dhulikhel Hospital, Nepal, from October 2024 to March 2025 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences (IRC, KUSMS-156/25). Demographic data, anemia severity, laboratory markers, including peripheral blood smear (PBS), and outcomes, such as mortality and Intensive Care Unit stay, were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0. Categorical variables were compared with Chi-square tests, continuous variables with independent t-test or Mann- Whitney U test, and correlations were assessed with Spearman’s rank method. Result The median hemoglobin level was 97 g/L (78-112g/L), and mild anemia was the most common (49.5%). Mortality correlated strongly with abnormal peripheral blood smear (p < 0.001, r = 0.52) and moderately with older age (p = 0.012, r = 0.35). Although anemia severity was not statistically significant (p = 0.423), its weak positive correlation (r = 0.15) indicates a potential trend. Conclusion Peripheral blood smear abnormalities and advanced age strongly predict mortality in critically ill patients, while anemia severity alone does not. Routine smear use in resource-limited ICUs may aid early risk stratification and improve care. KEY WORDS Anemia, Critical Illness, Intensive care unit, NepalPublication Injection drug use and tricuspid valve endocarditis(Kathmandu University, 2005) KC, Mathura; Thapa, N; Rauniyar, A; Magar, A; Gurubachharya, DL; Karki, DBTricuspid valve endocarditis is more common in injection drug users. Pulmonary valve and Eustachian valve endocarditis have been reported but are very rare. Earlier reports of endocarditis in injection drug users emphasized the dominance of right sided involvement. In a series of 105 patients 86 % were right sided and 14 % had left sided involvement. We report a case of isolated tricuspid valve endocarditis in an injection drug user affecting a structurally normal heart and review of the literature on this subject. Key Words: injection drug use, tricuspid valve endocarditisPublication Lipoblastoma in head and neck – A rare childhood tumour(Kathmandu University, 2006) Sinha, BK; Thapa, N; Banskota, DKLipoblastoma is an uncommon benign mesenchymal tumour that occurs primarily in children younger than 3 yrs of age. Despite the lesions being benign, great difficulty can be encountered in its management because of its tendency to invade the different fascial planes. A rare case of huge lipoblastoma diagnosed in a 22 months old child, involving various spaces of face and skull base has been reported. This huge tumour was completely and successfully removed through cheek incision without any postoperative complications. Key words: Lipoblastoma, Benign Mesenchymal Tumour, Head & Neck, C.T., M.R.I., FNAC, Total excisionPublication Teenage Pregnancy and Associated Risk Factors and Outcome in Nepal From 2000-2020: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis(Kathmandu University, 2022) Shrestha, DB; Budhathoki, P; Shrestha, O; Karki, S; Thapa, N; Dangal. G; Baral, G; Itani, S; Poudel, AABSTRACT Background Teenage pregnancy is considered a high-risk pregnancy in terms of reproductive outcome and the subsequent financial constraint. Objective To assess the prevalence of teenage pregnancy, associated risk factors, and outcomes in the context of Nepal. Method We searched electronic databases to search relevant articles published from January 2000 till October 2020 using the keywords with appropriate Boolean operators. All the data were extracted into a standardized form designed in Excel. We conducted a statistical analysis using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Software (CMA) version 3. Data pooled for proportion with 95% confidence interval (CI). A Forest plot was used to visualize the degree of variation between studies. Result Fourteen studies were included in the analysis after the rigorous screening of 4425 studies. Prevalence of teenage pregnancy was 13.2% (Proportion, 0.132; CI, 0.077- 0.215). Among teenage pregnancies, 11.8% were already multigravida (Proportion, 0.118; CI, 0.029-0.374). Among teen pregnancies, 18.6% were illiterate; among the literate, only 25.9% were of education above grade 10,31.9% were unaware of contraceptive methods, and only 3.2% reported using any contraception methods. 75.4% of teenage pregnancies had a vaginal delivery with or without episiotomy, 6.5% by instrumental deliveries, and 21.5% by cesarean section. Preterm delivery was 12.0%, and post-term delivery was 8.2%. Abortion was reported in 11.1% of teenage pregnancies. Major tears were reported in 52.9%, obstructed labor was in 4%, and pre-labor rupture of the membrane was in 7.0% of teenage pregnancies. The low birth weight of newborns was 19.4%. Stillbirth and neonatal deaths were 1.7% and 1.4%, respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of teenage pregnancy in Nepal was 13.2%. The majority of them did not use any form of contraceptives; and had low education. Several maternal and neonatal complications were reported among teenage pregnancies. KEY WORDS Cesarean section, Contraception, Delivery, Infant, Low birth weight, Obstetric, Pregnancy in adolescence