Use of a novel haemostatic agent: ankaferd blood stopper in conjunctival incisions

Background: To investigate the haemostatic efficacy and histopathological effects of a new haemostatic agent, ankaferd blood stopper, in a rat conjunctival incision model. Methods: Twenty Wistar albino rats were divided into two equal groups (A, B). Limbal incisions of 90–120° were performed in both eyes of all rats. In group A, bleeding at the site of incision was controlled by the administration of ankaferd blood stopper to the right eyes and balanced salt solution to the left eyes. In group B, bleeding was controlled by the application of ankaferd blood stopper to the right eyes and cautery to the left eyes. Time to haemostasis was recorded. After a 4‐week period, conjunctival vascularity and postoperative adhesion between Tenon's capsule and sclera were assessed. Additionally, eyes were enucleated and evaluated histopathologically. Results: In group A, the mean bleeding times were 15.2 and 66.7 s for right and left eyes, respectively (P = 0.002). In group B, the mean bleeding times were 17.6 and 17.5 s for right and left eyes, respectively (P = 0.939). Cautery was found to cause significantly more adhesion (P = 0.04). Histopathological examination of the conjunctiva and scleral revealed no statistically significant difference between the samples. Conclusions: Given the ease of use and lack of histopathological side‐effects in the conjunctival incision model, ankaferd blood stopper is promising for use in ophthalmic surgery. Ankaferd blood stopper is a potent haemostatic agent. Its use in ophthalmic surgery should be investigated further in a larger cohort of patients and tested in clinical and experimental models.