Does intraabdominal use of Ankaferd Blood Stopper cause increased intraperitoneal adhesions?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether intraabdominal Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) causes increased intraabdominal adhesion formation and to determine any side effects of ABS in vivo. METHODS: The present experimental study was designed to examine the effects of Ankaferd solution on peritoneal adhesion formation in a rat model of cecal abrasion. Intraperitoneal adhesions were assessed macroscopically and histopathologically on the 10th postoperative day. The possible adverse affects of ABS on liver and lung tissues were analyzed histopathologically, and blood chemistry was also evaluated. RESULTS: Our study revealed that ABS reduced intraperitoneal adhesion formation in an experimental rat model. The blood chemistry was not disturbed due to ABS administration. Intraperitoneal administration of ABS led to some minor changes in the lungs and serosal surfaces of the intestines, with minor architectural changes in the liver that were not considered as toxic. Further studies with various application doses and routes with more detailed cellular analysis are thus warranted to clarify the possible pleiotropic and adverse effects of this new agent away from hemostasis. CONCLUSION: There was less intraperitoneal adhesion formation in the ABS group than in the control group and saline group. Intraperitoneal administration of ABS has no toxic effects on blood chemistry or the lungs, kidneys and the liver, but it has some minor adverse effects.

Effect of oophorectomy and exogenous estrogen replacement on liver injury in experimental obstructive jaundice.

AIM: To investigate the role of estrogen on liver injury in an experimental obstructive jaundice model. METHODS: Three groups of female rats were constituted; group 1 was oophorectomized and given E2 (n = 14), group 2 was oophorectomized and given placebo (n = 14), and group 3 was sham operated (n = 14). Fourteen days following constitution of bile duct ligation, all groups were compared in terms of serum tests, histopathologic parameters, and tissue levels of IFN-gamma and IL-6. RESULTS: The parameters representing both the injury and/or the reactive response and healing were more pronounced in groups 1 and 2 (c2 = 17.2, c2 = 10.20; c2 = 12.4, P < 0.05). In the sham operated or E2 administered groups significantly lower tissue levels of IFN-gamma and higher IL-6 levels were found. In contrast, high IFN-gamma and low IL-6 tissue levels were found in the oophorectomized and placebo group (P < 0.001). Kupffer cell alterations were observed to be more pronounced in the groups 1 and 3 (c2 = 6.13, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that E2 impaired liver functions, accelerated both the liver damage and healing. In the conditions of bile duct obstruction, estrogen significantly changed the cytokine milieu in the liver.

Appendiceal mucocele: case reports and review of current literature.

The mucocele of the appendix is an uncommon disorder which is often asymptomatic but sometimes causes acute appendicitis-like symptoms. Sometimes, patients with mucocele can present with confusing symptoms. Preoperative suspicion and diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele are important. Ultrasonography and computed tomography are useful tools for the diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele. It may be also recognised by colonoscopy as a smooth submucosal lesion of the cecum. Optimal management of the mucocele could be achieved through accurate preoperative diagnosis. Preoperative diagnosis is a major component for minimizing intra-operative and post-operative complications. We herein report five cases and discuss the diagnostic methods and surgical treatment.

Frozen section and fine needle aspiration biopsy in thyroid surgery - needles and sections.

PURPOSE: To review our own experience with fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and frozen section (FS) in thyroid surgery and to assess the value of FNAB and FS in predicting malignancy in patient with thyroid disease. METHODS: The records of 300 patients who underwent thyroid surgery between April 2001 and June 2006 were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 153 patients who had preoperative FNABs performed, 8 (5.22%) were reported as indeterminate, 100 (65.35%) were read as benign, and 3 (1.96%) were read as malignant. Fourty two of the FNABs were inadequate for evaluation (27.45%). When occult papillary carcinomas were excluded, sensitivity, and accuracy rates for FNAB reached 100%. One hundred and ninety one patients had FSs performed. 184 (96.33%) of these were reported as benign, 4 (2.09%)were reported as malignant, 3 (1.57%) were deferred to permanent paraffin (PP) sections. When occult papillary carcinomas were excluded, sensitivity, and accuracy rates for FS were 42.85%, 43%, and 97.28% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data supports the use of FNAB in the confirmation of malignancy and the need for operation. The routine use of FS is not warranted. Selective use of FS when FNAB is nondiagnostic or indeterminate may provide additional information. Both FNAB and FS fail to reveal occult carcinomas of thyroid.