Cenk Evren

Effects of a new hemostatic agent Ankaferd Blood Stopper® on the intraocular tissues in rat model

Purpose: To investigate the histopathological changes due to administration of Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (ABS) into intraocular tissues by an anterior chamber and intravitreal injections. Methods: Twenty Wistar albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Group 1 was injected 0.01 mL ABS into anterior chamber. Group 2 was injected intravitreal 0.02 mL ABS. Groups 3 and 4, which were used as controls, were injected into the anterior chamber and intravitreal 0.01 mL and 0.02 mL balanced salt solution (BSS), respectively. At 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after injection, the eyes were examined under an operating microscope and were subsequently enucleated for histopathological examination. Results: Ophthalmic examination of the rats prior to enucleation revealed ocular complications ranging from conjunctival hyperemia to corneal perforation in group 1 and increased conjunctival hyperemia and discharge in group 2. No physical and histopathological anomalies were detected in groups 3 and 4. All eyes in group 1 showed mixed type inflammatory cell reaction, foreign-body reaction, stromal congestion, disintegration of the collagen fibers and loss of the epithelium of the posterior wall in the iris and ciliary body were observed histopathologically. All eyes in group 2 showed disintegration and separation of the retina, brown pigment accumulation and mixed type inflammatory cell reaction. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the commercially available form of ABS solution exerts a toxic effect on intraocular tissues. We consider that the intraocular use of different concentrations, rather than multiple time point of ABS should be investigated.

Effects of the folk medicinal plant extract Ankaferd Blood Stopper® on the ocular surface

Purpose: To investigate the effects of Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (ABS) on the ocular surface. Methods: Twenty adult male Wistar albino rats, weighing 390–530 g, were used in this prospective, controlled trial. One drop of ABS and one drop of balanced salt solution (BSS) were instilled into the lower conjunctival sac of the right and left eyes, respectively. After the rats were anesthetized, the ocular surface was evaluated based on the Draize criteria, and fluorescein tests were performed at 1, 2, 4, 18, 24, and 48 h. Subsequently, the rats were killed and all eyes were enucleated for histopathological examination. Results: The outcome of the Draize and fluorescein tests revealed that ABS caused more irritation of the ocular surface than BSS (P < 0.001). The highest mean ABS score was 4.9 for the Draize test and 0.4 for the fluorescein test, and ABS was considered to be a slight irritant. Histopathological examinations of the cornea and the conjunctiva revealed no significant difference between the eyes instilled with BSS and those instilled with ABS. Conclusions: ABS is a hemostatic drug that exerts a slight toxic effect on the ocular surface. Given its ease of use and antibacterial activity, as well as its efficiency in stopping bleeding, the use of ABS during ocular surgery should be further investigated in experimental and clinical studies.

Use of a novel haemostatic agent: ankaferd blood stopper in conjunctival incisions

Background:  To investigate the haemostatic efficacy and histopathological effects of a new haemostatic agent, ankaferd blood stopper, in a rat conjunctival incision model.

Conservative approach to the isolated cricoid cartilage fracture

Isolated cricoid fracture is encountered rarely during the clinical follow-up. A 71-year-old female patient was referred to emergency service with complaints of fall from height, and urgent tracheotomy was performed due to dyspnea. During the examination, isolated fractures of the cricoid cartilage were identified. With the conservative approach, the patient remained symptom-free and was discharged after decannulation.

Effectiveness of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on salivary gland bleeding

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the hemostatic effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) on salivary gland tissue. Methods: Fifteen adult Wistar Albino rats were used in this study. After an appropriate dissection, the right submandibular glands were incised through all layers and 0.2 cc of ABS was administered. After performing the same procedure on the left glands, compression was applied with a saline-moistened pack. The duration of bleeding on both sides was measured. Results: The duration of bleeding was 21.9±8.9 seconds in the ABS administered side, whereas the duration of bleeding was found to be 89.8±33.9 seconds in the side in which only a salinemoistened pack was applied. The duration of bleeding was significantly shorter in the ABS administered side. Conclusion: ABS as a novel hemostatic agent could have a potential benefit in controlling bleeding from salivary glands. Further prospective controlled studies are required to investigate its pathological effects on the tissue and to determine possible toxic effects.