The Efficacy of Intravenous Versus Topical Use of Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Blood Loss after Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Document Type : RESEARCH PAPER

Authors

1 Department of Knee Surgery, Firouzgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences,Tehran , Iran

2 Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Firouzgar Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

3 Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Shafa Orthopedic Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan, Iran - Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Blood loss during and immediately after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is among the most challenging
concerns. It has been demonstrated that Tranexamic acid (TXA) can help to reduce perioperative blood loss. TXA
can be used as an oral, topical or intravenous injection. Many studies evaluated the effectiveness of each route of
administration but few works on a comparison between them. The current study aimed to compare the effectiveness
of intravenous injection versus topical use of TXA in reducing perioperative blood loss after primary total knee
arthroplasty.
Methods: Eighty-five patients who were a candidate for total knee arthroplasty were randomized into two groups:
one group received Intravenous injection of 15 mg/kg TXA, 10 min before tourniquet inflation while the other group
received 1 g diluted TXA during wound closure. The postoperative blood loss was estimated by measuring the
whole drain output and also hemoglobin (HB) drops. Both groups compared based on the need for allogenic blood
transfusion and also thromboembolic events.
Results: Patients who received topical TXA had a higher total drain output (p <0.0001) compared to intravenous
injection. The hemoglobin drop also was more in the topical group although it was marginally significant (P=0.05).
Conclusion: Intravenous injection of TXA is more effective in reducing postoperative blood loss after primary TKA
compared to topical administration.
Level of evidence: I

Keywords

References

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The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery
Volume 8, Issue 3
May 2020
Pages 363-367

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History

  • Receive Date: 15 June 2019
  • Revise Date: 17 March 2020
  • Accept Date: 27 March 2020

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