As the use of instrumentation in spinal surgery has become common, the need for revision surgery has increased. During revision surgery one of the most difficult steps is removal of poly-axial pedicle screws, especially if no suitable revision set is available. We describe here an easy method for poly-axial screw removal. Leaving or placing a small piece of rod, attached firmly by a nut, tightens the head of the poly-axial screw. It can no longer move freely from the distal part of the screw and the screw can be removed by turning it counterclockwise with a big clamp or needle driver, which is available in almost every surgery set.

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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...