Tranexamic acid given into the wound reduces postoperative blood loss by half in major orthopaedic surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of locally applied tranexamic acid on postoperative blood loss and measures of fibrinolysis in drained blood.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

University hospital, Norway.

PATIENTS

30 patients operated on for low back pain by screw fixation of the lumbar spine, 16 of who were randomised to be given topical tranexamic acid.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative blood loss after 18 hours. Concentrations of plasmin/alpha2-antiplasmin (PAP) and D-dimer in arterial and drained blood at the time of wound closure and in drained blood after 1 hour.

RESULTS

In the tranexamic group median (interquartile) blood loss was reduced by half from 525 (325-750) ml to 252 (127-465) ml, p = 0.02. In drained blood after one hour the increase in the concentration of PAP was 150 (109-170)% and D-dimer 150 (107-272)% in the tranexamic group compared with the control group where the increase in PAP was 320 (140-540)% and D-dimer 260 (161-670)%.

CONCLUSION

Tranexamic acid applied in the wound inhibits blood loss by up to a half in major orthopaedic surgery probably because it prevents excessive fibrinolysis.