The Effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper? on Epidural Fibrosis After Laminectomy in Rats: An Experimental Study.
OBJECTIVE
Lumbar epidural fibrosis is increasingly recognized as a cause of persistent back pain. The aim of this study was to examine the effect Ankaferd Blood Stopper on epidural fibrosis following laminectomy in rat models.


METHODS
Twenty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly allocated to 2 groups of 10 each. The dura mater and nerve root were exposed after L1 unilateral laminectomy. Close attention was paid not to traumatize the dura, the nerve roots, or the dissected muscles. Immediate muscle and skin closure was made in sham group. In the Ankaferd Blood Stopper group, cotton wool soaked with 1 mL Ankaferd Blood Stopper was applied to the exposure site for 5 minutes, and muscle and skin closure was then made. Histological analysis was performed at four weeks postoperatively.


RESULTS
Epidural fibrosis formation evaluation and fibroblastic activity evaluation revealed that there was a significant difference between the sham and the Ankaferd Blood Stopper treated groups (p = 0.011, p = 0.009). Severe epidural adhesions were observed in the Ankaferd Blood Stopper group. Dissection of these epidural adhesions was difficult and accompanied by bleeding and disruption of the dura mater.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study showed that there was no positive effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on the prevention of epidural fibrosis, which is one of the most significant problems following spinal surgery, and the epidural fibrosis actually increased.
Haseki Research and Training Hospital, Orthopaedic and Traumatology Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey.
Murat
M
Yilmaz
Deniz
D
Gulabi
Bulent
B
Guclu
Ibrahim
I
Kaya
Kayhan
K
Basak
Ali
A
Bas
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000473:pathology; D004824:Epidural Space / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology
D010936:Plant Extracts; C539751:ankaferd blood stopper