Tranexamic acid given intraoperatively reduces blood loss after total knee replacement: a randomized, controlled study.

Abstract

Extensive blood loss in total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is well known and is associated with a high transfusion rate of allogenic blood. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to reduce blood loss by 50% in this patient group, but only in cases with a perioperative loss of 1400-1800 ml. This study was performed to see if TXA offers any advantages in knee replacement surgery with blood loss at 800 ml. Thirty consecutive patients scheduled for TKR in spinal anesthesia with the use of a tourniquet, were randomized to TXA or non-TXA. Tranexamic acid 10 mg kg-1 was given at conclusion of surgery and again 3 h later. Blood loss was registered. Total blood loss was at all times significantly lower in the TXA group compared to the non-TXA group (409.7+/-174.9 ml vs. 761.7+/-313.1 ml; P<0.001). There were no differences in coagulation parameters. No patients in the TXA group had a blood transfusion vs. 13% in the non-TXA group (NS). No complications were registered in the two groups. We conclude that TXA significantly reduces blood loss after total knee replacement surgery.