No abstract

This is a study evaluating the efficacy of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) as a hemostatic agent compared to hemostasis by phenylephrine in patients with anterior epistaxis. The study design is a prospective, randomized, controlled, nonblinded, clinical trial. In total, 49 patients were randomly seperated to receive hemostasis technique by means of either ABS wet tampon or phenylephrine impregnated gauze tampon for anterior epistaxis control. Patients were crossed over to the other technique after two unsuccessful attempts of the first technique. Measured outcomes such as number of applications, relationship of number of applications with bleeding intensity (1 = stains on napkin, 2 = soaked napkin, 3 = bowl needed), patient discomfort during hemostasis (0 = none, 9 = unbearable), and complications were assessed. Additional data were recorded for rebleeding within 7 days. 24 of the 49 patients were assigned to the new ABS group (group I) and remaining 25 were included in the standard phenylephrine group (group II). ABS was more effective than phenylephrine at control of anterior epistaxis (79.2 vs. 64%, p < 0.05). For the patients who crossed over from phenylephrine to ABS, 44.4% achieved hemostasis by ABS. ABS successfully treated all bleeding intensity 1 and 2 patients with one application (5 min). ABS patients experienced fewer rebleeding rates within 7 days compared to phenylephrine patients (8.3 vs. 20%, p < 0.05). The patients for which ABS was applied, significant differences in effective control of anterior epistaxis were observed compared to phenylephrine. ABS is effective, safe, quick, and easy alternative to the phenylephrine in patients with anterior epistaxis.

Pharyngeal packing during nasal surgery increases postoperative morbidity by leading to the development of painful oral aphthous lesions.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the oral administration of pomegranate extract (PE) as a protective agent against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. The study included a prospective, controlled animal study Group 1 (n = 6), received no cisplatin or PE, and group 2 (n = 6) received cisplatin at 8 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days. Group 3 (n = 6) received not only cisplatin at 8 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days, but also received PE (100 μL/day) via gavage for 5 days prior to the cisplatin injection and for 3 days concomitantly with the cisplatin injections. To measure cisplatin ototoxic effects, "distortion product otoacoustic emissions" (DPOAE) were analyzed 3 days before and after the cisplatin injections. Histological changes in the cochleas were observed by light microscopy. Compared with group 3, the DPOAE amplitudes of group 2 decreased significantly. Among the groups, there was a statistically significant difference in basal and mid turn external ciliated cells (ECC) number, but there was no statistically significant difference in apical turn. Differences in stria vascularis (SV) changes were statistically significant between the groups, and the median score for SV injury was significantly greater in group 2 than in group 3. Differences in the median scores for SGC changes being significantly greater in group 2 than in group 3. In conclusion, these results indicated that oral administration of PE afforded statistically significant protection to the cochlea in rats from cisplatin toxicity, and thus, oral experimental dose of PE administration may have a protective effect against cisplatin ototoxicity in rats.

The present study findings suggest that the conchal bone has a marked influence on nasal patency in patients with congenital septal deviation. These findings supported the decision to excise the inferior turbinate bone at the time of septoplasty, especially when treating congenital septal deviation.