International Orthopaedics February 2017, Volume 41, Issue 2, pp 259–263

Topical administration of tranexamic acid in hip arthroplasty

Kang, J.S., Moon, K.H., Kim, B.S. et al.
Hip

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a newly designed topical administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing post-operative bleeding in total hip arthroplasty (THA) and bipolar hip hemiarthroplasty (BHA).

Methods

A consecutive series of 160 patients who underwent hip arthroplasty was enrolled in this study. Topical administration of TXA was done in group 1 (40 patients underwent THA and 40 BHA). We compared the amount of blood loss and rates of post-operative transfusion in group 1 with those of group 2 (40 cases of THA and 40 cases of BHA) in which TXA solution was not applied.

Results

The total amount of blood loss in THA group 1 and THA group 2 was 793 ± 50 mL and 1086 ± 73 mL, respectively (p = 0.001). The transfusion rates of THA group 1 and THA group 2 was 27.5 % and 50 %, respectively (p = 0.039). The transfusion rates of BHA group 1 and BHA group 2 was 45 % and 60 %, respectively (p = 0.179). The amounts of blood loss through the drainage tube were 186 ± 22 mL and 257 ± 24 mL in THA group 1 and THA group 2, respectively, and 101 ± 11 mL and 147 ± 16 mL in BHA group 1 and BHA group 2, respectively, showing statistical significance. No complications such as infection, deep vein thrombosis or cardiovascular disease were observed during the hospital stay and the last follow-up.

Conclusion

Topical administration of TXA is an effective and safe method to reduce post-operative bleeding and transfusion rates in hip arthroplasty.


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