The stereological and histopathological evaluation of the effect of Thymoquinone on peridural fibrosis following laminectomy in rats Abstract Background/aim: This study was aimed to investigate the effects of thymoquinone, which is the essential bioactive component of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa on the peridural fibrosis in rats following laminectomy. Materials and methods: Twenty female Wistar Albino rats were used in our study. The rats were randomly divided into two groups as Sham and Surgery+Thymoquinone. Both groups underwent laminectomy at L1, under general anesthesia. The sham group was not subjected to any drug application. The second group was treated with intraperitoneal 10 mg/kg thymoquinone per day for a period of 28 days, following the same surgical procedure. All the groups were sacrificed after four weeks and the laminectomy area was examined in terms of new bone volume, capillary volume and fibrosis volume using stereological approaches. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the Sham and Surgery+Thymoquinone groups, in terms of the new bone volume (p=0.01), capillary volume (p=0.01) and fibrosis volume (p<0.001). It was noted that thymoquinone caused significant increase in the new bone volume and vascular volume and a significant decrease in the fibrosis volume. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that thymoquinone is effective in decreasing the peridural fibrosis when applied on laminectomy model.

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Introduction Haemostasis is described as the physiological systems which are necessary for stemming the bleeding and ensuring vascular integrity without blocking the blood flow. In terms of surgical procedures, adequate haemostasis provides many advantages in the postoperative period. Mechanical methods, bipolar cautery, oxidized cellulose, collagen, and gelatine are commonly employed for bleeding control. However, each of these methods has its risks and advantages. Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) is a relatively new and effective method for bleeding control. ABS is used in traditional Turkish medicine and is prepared by mixing 5 herbal ingredients (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Vitis vinifera, Alpina officinarum, Urtica dioica, Thymus vulgaris) in different proportions. ABS affects blood proteins (mainly fibrinogen) and erythrocytes, and acts rapidly by forming a protein network. ABS is a preferably haemostatic agent which is easy to apply and does not damage healthy tissue. The topical haemostatic efficacy of ABS has been previously tested in animals with normal and defective haemostasis [1,2]. Physiological cell-based coagulation could be clinically managed via topical ABS applications to prevent and treat bleeding in many distinct clinicopathological states [3,4]. Neither local nor systemic adverse effects and/or toxicity have been observed in association with experimental and anecdotal topical application of ABS. The neurotoxic effects of ABS on neural tissue are yet to be investigated. Therefore, the neurotoxic effect of ABS was studied histopathologically in the present animal study. 2. Materials and methods 2.1. Experimental animals Prior to the study, ethical approval was obtained from Animal Studies Local Ethics Committee of Ondokuz Mayıs University with number 2008-37. Sprague Dawley male rats (16-20 weeks and 300-400 g) were used. A total of 30 rats were randomized into 2 groups as the ABS group (n: 15) and the control group (n: 15). Each group Background/aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible toxicity of the Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) on the neural system. Materials and methods: Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into ABS (n: 15) and control (n: 15) groups. Following the anaesthetic induction, total laminectomy was performed to the lower thoracic, and upper lumbar areas in both groups and medulla spinalis was exposed. Two myelotomies were performed on the medulla spinalis. One millilitre ABS was applied to the incision site in the ABS group, and one millilitre 0.9% saline solution was applied in the control group. Rats were observed for 15 days regarding general behaviour, neurological signs, mobility, and signs of infection. Sixteen days later, all rats were decapitated under anaesthesia. Medulla spinalis was removed en bloc from all rats and was stained with Heamatoxylin & Eosin and luxol fast blue. Results: There was no significant difference between the ABS group and the control group regarding oedema, gliosis, the intensity of inflammatory cells, the presence of neuronal degener...

We aimed to evaluate mortality-associated factors among patients with acute epidural hematoma due to head trauma. Demographic characteristics, preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale score, epidural hematoma aetiology and radiological findings, accompanying systemic trauma results, hospitalisation duration, sequelae, and mortality features of patients experiencing epidural hematoma between 2014 and 2018 were evaluated. Overall, 79 patients were examined. The most frequent epidural hematoma aetiology was traffic accidents (51.9%), with temporal region being the most common epidural hematoma location (38 [48.2%] patients). Among all, 12 (15.2%) patients died and 67 (84.8%) were discharged. Of them, 57 (85.1%) patients were discharged without and 10 (14.9%) with neurological sequelae. Age>65 years (p=0.001) and low Glasgow Coma Scale score (p<0.05) were significantly associated with higher mortality. Overall mortality rate was 91.7% (p<0.001) in patients with systemic trauma accompanying epidural hematoma, with thoracic (12%) and orthopaedic (9%) trauma being the most common. Cranial injuries included linear fracture, 78.5%; pneumocephalus, 48.1%; cerebral contusion, 44.3%; traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage, 32.9%; acute subdural hematoma; 26.6%, and collapse fracture, 15%. All cranial injuries except linear fractures were associated with high mortality (p<0.05). Epidural hematoma is associated with high mortality. Aetiology, Glasgow Coma Scale score, cranial pathology, age, and additional trauma are the major predictive mortality-associated factors.

Aim: The choice of graft materials used for spinal fusion possesses a great importance due to their crucial roles in bone remodelling. Although autogenous bone grafts are the "gold standard" for spinal fusion surgeries, they can cause various complications. Aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and autograft in lumbar spinal fusion in a rabbit model of spinal lumbar fusion (SLF). Methods: Twenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups and underwent SLF by using either iliac crest autologous bone graft (Autograft, n=10) or DBM Flex (Grafton, n=10). Eight-weeks after surgery, animals were sacrificed and spinal fusion was evaluated by computerized tomography (CT), manual palpation, macroscopic analyses, and histological assessments. Results: CT results revealed that autograft led to significantly higher fusion scores than DBM Flex (p=0.0004). Mobility was significantly lower in autograft group (p=0.0007). Significantly lower bone formation scores were observed in DBM Flex group compared to autograft group (p<0.0001). Histology of spine in the autograft group was significantly better than DBM Flex group (p=0.0002). Conclusion: Autograft was superior than DBM flex in SLF and these results indicate that autograft will continue to be the "gold standard" in SLF in the future.

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