How safe is the use of prosthetic materials in the repair of abdominal-wall defects in malnourished subjects?

Incisional hernias and abdominal-wall defects consume large amounts of healthcare resources. Use of mesh is effective in treatment of these disorders and can decrease the rate of recurrence. This experimental study focused on the safety of mesh use in the setting of malnutrition, a condition that impairs wound healing. Rats were divided into two groups: normally fed and food-restricted. An abdominal-wall defect, 2 by 2 cm, was covered with polypropylene mesh, 2.5 by 2.5 cm. After sacrifice of the rats at the 21st and 60th days, tissue samples were sent for tensiometric and histopathological studies. No significant difference in infectious complications was observed between the two groups. Tensiometry revealed no significant differences between the groups. On histopathological examination, the only difference noted was in the vascularization scores of normally fed rats. For malnourished subjects that survived after surgery, the use of polypropylene mesh appeared safe in the closure of abdominal-wall defects, with no increase in infection rate and satisfactory wound healing

Hemostatic Efficacy Of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (R) In A Swine Bleeding Model

Objective: The purpose of this study was to show the hemostatic effect of spray, solution and tampon forms of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (R) (ABS), a unique medicinal plant extract historically used as a hemostatic agent in Turkish folklore medicine, in a porcine bleeding model. Materials and Methods: Two 1-year-old pigs were used as bleeding models for superficial and deep skin lacerations, grade II liver and spleen injuries, grade II saphenous vein injury and grade IV saphenous artery injury. Spray, solution or tampon forms of ABS were applied after continuing bleeding was confirmed. The primary outcome was time to hemostasis. Volume of blood loss was not measured. The pigs were euthanized at the end of the experiment. Results: Spray or direct application of ABS solution resulted in instant control of bleeding in superficial and deep skin lacerations as well as puncture wounds of the liver. A 40-second application of ABS tampon was sufficient to stop bleeding of skin lacerations, while 1.5- and 3.5-min applications were used to control hemorrhage from the saphenous vein and artery, respectively. No rebleeding was observed once hemostasis was achieved. However, repeated applications of ABS solution and tampon were only temporarily effective in the hemostasis of spleen injury. Conclusions: The data showed that ABS was an effective hemostatic agent for superficial and deep skin lacerations and minor/moderate trauma injuries in a porcine bleeding model. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, BaselWoSScopu