Beneficial effects of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on dermal wound healing: an experimental study.

Ankaferd Blood Stopper(®) (ABS) is a folkloric medicinal plant extract used as a haemostatic agent in traditional Turkish medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ABS on the healing of dermal wounds in a rat model. Twenty Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups. Standard full-thickness skin defects were created on the back of the rats. In the control group (group 1), dressings moisturised with saline were changed daily. In the study group (group 2), the wounds were cleaned daily with saline, Ankaferd solution was applied, then the wounds were covered with moisturised dressings. The contraction percentage of wound areas were calculated on the 3rd, 7th, 10th and 14th days using a planimetric programme. On day 14, the wound areas were excised for histopathological examination, inflammatory scoring and evaluation of collagen deposition. The study group was superior to the control group in terms of inflammatory scoring, type I/type III collagen ratio and wound contraction rates. ABS(®) may be used effectively and safely on full-thickness wounds as a natural product.

Idiopathic giant atonic bladder (6000 mL in volume) present for 15 years with no urinary symptoms.

Urinary retention is common in patients with neurologic disorders. We present a case of asymptomatic idiopathic giant bladder from which 6000 mL urine was drained. This is the largest volume of bladder that we found in the literature.

Acute appendicitis presenting with abdominal wall and right groin abscess: a case report.

We report a case of right lower abdominal wall and groin abscess resulting from acute appendicitis. The patient was an 27-year-old man who had no apparent abdominal signs and was brought to the hospital due to progressive painful swelling of right lower abdomen and the groin for 10 d. Significant inflammatory changes of soft tissue involving the right lower trunk were noted without any apparent signs of peritonitis. Laboratory results revealed leukocytosis. Abdominal ultrasonography described the presence of abscess at right inguinal site also communicating with the intraabdominal region. Right inguinal exploration and laparotomy were performed and about 250 mL of pus was drained from the subcutaneous tissue and preperitoneal space. No collection of pus was found intraabdominally and subserous acute appendicitis was the cause of the abscess. The patient fully recovered at the end of the second post-operation week. This case reminds us that acute appendicitis may have an atypical clinical presentation and should be treated carefully on an emergency basis to avoid serious complications.

Giant hydatid cysts of lung and liver.

A 13-year-old girl was admitted to our clinic with the complaints of dyspnea, abdominal distention, cough, and right-sided chest pain.The diagnosis of disease was made with physical examination and radiologic evaluation. She underwent right thoracotomy and phrenotomy for the management of the hydatid cysts of the lung and the liver. The postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on the 10th postoperative day. We believe that the simultaneous management of concomitant pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts through a thoracicroute is a convenient option.