Effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on air leakage in the lung and prevention of bleeding: an experimental study

BACKGROUND Air leakage and hemorrhage are important causes of morbidity and mortality in operations and traumas of the lung. Ankaferd Blood Stopper is a herbal product used for stopping hemorrhage. In our study, we investigated the efficacy of Ankaferd Blood Stopper in the prevention of air leakage in the lung and bleeding. METHODS A total of twenty-one Wistar-Albino rats weighing 240 ± 20 grams were used in our study. An equal amount of injury was created in all groups by performing left thoracotomies. No interventions were made on tissue injury in the first group, and suturing was performed in the second group, and Ankaferd was applied in the third group. Air leakage and duration of bleeding were recorded in all groups. RESULTS A statistically significant difference was found between the three groups in terms of air leakage time (p = 0,0001) and bleeding time (p = 0,0001). While a significant effect of Ankaferd was detected in terms of air leakage compared to standard surgery (p = 0,017), no difference was found in terms of bleeding time. CONCLUSIONS Ankaferd Blood Stopper ceases the air leakage in the lung parenchyma significantly and effectively. No significant difference is seen compared to the standard surgery group, although it ceases bleeding significantly.