Effects of Ankaferd® blood stopper on the postoperative outcomes of breast surgery for gynecomastia and breast hypertrophy

Abstract

Bleeding after skin closure is a disturbing complication commonly observed in almost all kind of surgical operations. Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS), a topical hemostatic agent of plant origin, has been registered for the management of clinical hemorrhages when the conventional methods to control bleeding by ligature and/or hemostatic measures are ineffective . This study investigated whether topical ABS application alters postoperative bleeding complications in patients undergoing symmetrical red uction mammoplasty or symmetrical subcutaneous mastectomy in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design. Twenty-two patients underwent either reduction mammoplasty (n=13) or subcutaneous mastectomy (n=9). ABS or placebo was randomized between both breasts in the same patient. Total amount running from the drain was found significantly greater in ABS group in comparison to the placebo group. Hematoma was seen in one case, seroma in 8 cases and infection and wound healing problem requiring intervention in 6 cases. Hematoma complication occured in placebo group and a significant difference was not found between groups in terms of this complication. Of the 8 seroma complications all were in ABS group. Relationship between seroma development and ABS use was found significant. Similarly, all of 6 cases who developed infection and wound healing problem requiring intervention were in ABS group. Infection and wound healing problem requiring intervention were also found to be significantly correlated with ABS use. Any finding suggesting a constant hemostatic effect on the post-surgical hemorrhages despite conventional hemostatic methods could not be obtained in this study.

Keywords

• ANKAFERD
• hemostasis
• hemorrhage
• bleeding

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