Tranexamic acid reduces blood loss after cementless total hip arthroplasty-prospective randomized study in 40 cases

Abstract

We investigated the effects of tranexamic acid in 40 patients who had received cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) in a prospective, randomized study. In 20 patients, 1000 mg of whole-body tranexamic acid was administered intravenously 5 min before the operation started. The other 20 patients served as a control group and were operated on without tranexamic acid. Perioperative blood loss was similar in the tranexamic acid group and in the control group. Postoperative blood loss of the tranexamic acid group was significantly less than that of the control group at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h. Regarding time-related changes of postoperative blood loss, significant reduction was observed during the first 2 h after surgery in the tranexamic acid group ( P<0.001). After the first 2 h, there was no significant difference between the tranexamic acid group and the control group. Preoperative administration of tranexamic acid decreased postoperative blood loss until 12 h and total bleeding in cementless THA by reduction of blood loss during the first 2 h after surgery.

Figures

Fig. 1

Postoperative blood loss at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 h. Significant differences between the groups were seen at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h after the operation ( 2 and 4 h—P<0.001, 6 and 8 h—P<0.01, 10 and12 h—P<0.05). Total bleeding in the tranexamic acid group was less than in the control group (P<0.05)

Fig. 2

Time-related changes of postoperative blood loss. Significant differences were seen in the first 2 h postoperatively (P<0.001)