First clinical experience of Ankaferd BloodStopper as a hemostatic agent in partial nephrectomy.

Open partial nephrectomy is an effective and safe alternative treatment modality to radical nephrectomy for small renal tumors. Many techniques that use hemostatic agents have been described to provide hemostasis during this procedure. Ankaferd BloodStopper® (ABS) is a unique folkloric medicinal plant extract that has been used historically in Turkish traditional medicine as a hemostatic agent. ABS has therapeutic potential to manage hemorrhage and this agent should be investigated in clinical trials. In the present case, we evaluated the effectiveness of ABS in partial nephrectomy and reviewed the literature.

Hemostasis in retropubic radical prostatectomy with Ankaferd BloodStopper: a case report.

Ankaferd BloodStopper (ABS) is a licensed medicinal plant product that provides active hemostasis in external, postsurgical and dental bleeding, and is approved in Turkey by the Ministry of Health. The use of ABS for internal organ hemorrhage is under investigation. Our clinic is one of the certified centers conducting a phase II trial investigating the effects and reliability of ABS in urogenital surgery. We have used ABS to stop bleeding during radical retropubic prostatectomy in one patient, presented here as a case report.

Hemostatic role of a folkloric medicinal plant extract in a rat partial nephrectomy model: controlled experimental trial.

PURPOSE: Ankaferd BloodStopper is a mixture of 5 plants used in traditional Turkish medicine as hemostatic agent for external traumatic, postoperative and dental bleeding. We investigated the hemostatic efficacy of Ankaferd BloodStopper for partial nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 24 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 each. Group 1 underwent partial nephrectomy with hilar control as the conventional technique. Group 2 underwent the conventional technique with hemostatic agent application. Group 3 underwent hemostatic agent application to the renal parenchyma. In Group 4 partial nephrectomy was performed and the hemostatic agent was used without hilar control. Warm ischemia and partial nephrectomy times, and the number of hemostatic agent applications were recorded. Histopathological evaluations were completed. The Fisher, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean kidney size was 2 x 2.5 x 0.05 cm. Mean partial nephrectomy time was 3.7, 2.7, 1.8 and 3.2 minutes in groups 1 to 4, respectively, which was significantly different between groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.007). Warm ischemia time in group 3 was less than in group 1 (p = 0.011). The number of hemostatic agent applications was higher in groups 3 and 4 compared to those in group 2 (p = 0.003). Glomerular necrosis was detected at a higher rate in group 1 compared to that in groups 3 and 4 (p = 0.015). Calcification formed significantly more in group 1 than in groups 2 to 4 (p <0.05). Erythrocyte aggregation was greater in groups 2 to 4 than in group 1 (p = 0.015). Giant cell reaction, fibrosis, inflammation and microvascular proliferation were not statistically different among the groups (p >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ankaferd BloodStopper decreases partial nephrectomy and warm ischemia times, and provides hemostasis. Erythrocyte aggregation confirmed the hemostatic action of the agent, while the absence of glomerular necrosis and calcification may have positive relevance.

Ginkgo biloba (EGB 761) affects apoptosis and nitric-oxide synthases in testicular torsion: an experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the effect of ginkgo biloba on germ cell apoptosis and also on expressions of endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) nitric oxide synthases after testicular torsion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Torsion/detorsion (T/D) was performed on the rats in group 1, group 2 received ginkgo biloba for a month before T/D, group 3 received only gingko biloba for a month, and group 4 was the sham group. Left testicular torsion was created in group 1 and group 2, and the testes were untwisted and replaced in the scrotum for reperfusion. No procedure was applied to group 3, and after 1 month, testes were removed in all groups. RESULTS: Mean apoptotic cell, eNOS, and iNOS were increased in group 1. Group 2 showed significantly decreased apoptotic cells, eNOS, and iNOS in testes compared to group 1 (P < 0.05). The rats in group 3 had significantly decreased apoptotic cell, eNOS, and iNOS values, like the sham group (P < 0.05), and this group provided basal values. CONCLUSIONS: Ginkgo biloba, as a free radical scavenger, seems to have a protective role against apoptosis in testicular ischemia reperfusion injury.

Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) usage attenuates testicular injury induced by testicular ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the effect of ginkgo biloba on testicular ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar Albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Torsion/detorsion (T/D) performed to the rats in group 1, group 2 received ginkgo biloba (50 mg/day) for a month before T/D, group 3 received only gingko biloba (50 mg/day) for a month and group 4 was defined as sham group. After 1 month the testes were removed. RESULTS: Mean testicular malondialdehyde, nitrate and nitrite levels were significantly increased in group 1 compared to groups 2, 3 and 4 (P<0.05). The rats in group 3 provided basal histological appearance. In group 1, edema, congestion and hemorrhage between seminiferous tubules were predominant. In group 2, histopathologic features were markedly less than group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Malondialdehyde, nitrate and nitrite levels were increased after unilateral testicular torsion. EGb 761 has a protective effect on testicular injury induced by IR.

Comparison of transurethral prostate resection and plasmakinetic prostate resection according to cautery artefacts in tissue specimens.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to evaluate cautery artifacts histopathologically in tissue specimens after plasmakinetic prostate resection (PKRP) and transurethral prostatectomy (TURP), and compare the results of the two procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The histopathological specimens of 65 patients who underwent PKRP and TURP were examined retrospectively. Tissue chips for examination were selected randomly. Artifactual pathological patterns that were identified in the specimens included: abnormal cellular orientation and spindling, artifactual cellular detachment from the underlying basement membrane, atypical cytological changes and stromal coagulative necrosis. Each pattern identified was awarded 1 point. The severity of the cautery artefact was graded as absent, mild, moderate or severe according to the sum of points in each specimen. RESULTS: In TURP, the artefacts were graded absent (9%), mild (6%), moderate (18.7%), and severe (65.6%) changes. In PKRP, the artefacts were graded absent (6%), mild (18.1%), moderate (36.3%), and severe (39.4%) changes. While the number of mild and moderate artefacts observed was higher in PKRP (P = 0.023), severe artefacts were observed in higher numbers with TURP (P = 0.034). No prostate cancer was detected during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: It has been observed that the application of TURP causes fewer mild to moderate artefacts and PKRP causes fewer severe artefacts in the histopathological evaluation of specimens in comparison to each other.

Plasmakinetic prostate resection in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: results of 1-year follow up.

AIM: In our randomized prospective study, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of plasmakinetic resection of prostate (PKRP) by comparing the preoperative and postoperative results of the transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and PKRP techniques which we administered in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in our clinic. METHODS: Of 57 patients for whom we thought an operative intervention was necessary, 30 cases in the first group had a TURP and 24 cases in the second group had a PKRP. International prostate symptom scores (I-PSS), uroflowmetry, measurement of residual urine amount and ultrasonography were performed for each patient both preoperatively and postoperatively (first month and first year). Operation times, urethral catheterization times, preoperative and postoperative Hb, Htc and serum Na values of the patients were compared and the complications of the groups were also compared. RESULTS: On first month and first year follow up between the groups, there was no significant statistical difference in I-PSS, maximum flow rate, average flow, residual urine and size of the prostate. The decrease in serum Na level was found to be significantly higher in the TURP group (P < 0.05). The operation times were not significantly different between the groups. While the postoperative catheterization time was 75.7 h in TURP group, it was found to be 42 h in PKRP group and it was clear that catheterization time was significantly shorter (P < 0001). CONCLUSION: It is obvious that PKRP is as efficient as TURP and it has a similar morbidity. In our opinion, PKRP makes a promising treatment for BPH with its advantages, such as early removal of postoperative urethral catheter, a shorter hospital stay and the absence of TUR syndrome risk.

Stoller afferent nerve stimulation in woman with therapy resistant over active bladder; a 1-year follow up.

AIM: In this prospective observational study, we investigated the efficacy of Stoller afferent nerve stimulation (SANS) in subjects with overactive bladder who failed anticholinergic treatment. METHODS: Thirty-five subjects with overactive bladder who failed therapy with oxybutynin participated in this study. Treatment (n = 35) was given once a week for 30 minutes for overall 10 weeks. In treatment, SANS device (Urosurge) was used. Subjects were assessed with 3-day voiding diary, SEAPI quality of life questionnaires and cystometry before therapy after completion of therapy and at one-year follow-up. RESULTS: In 54% (n = 19) of subjects complete recovery was obtained after treatment. Urgency and SEAPI were reduced significantly whereas urine volume increased significantly (p < 0.01). Complete recovery was maintained in eight of the 19 subjects at one year. CONCLUSIONS: SANS treatment has a short-term positive effect in patients with resistant overactive bladder. However, it was also established that efficacy was maintained at 1 year in only 23% of subjects.