Topical combined tranexamic acid and epinephrine versus topical epinephrine in control of intraoperative bleeding of external dacryocystorhinostomy.

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy of gauze soaked with combined tranexamic acid (TXA) (100 mg/ml) epinephrine 1:200,000 versus gauze soaked with only epinephrine 1:200,000 used to guard against intraoperative bleeding in external Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 33 patients; only 30 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were divided randomly into 2 groups using the random numbers table, with 15 patients in each group. The first group (Group A) was operated upon using gauze soaked with combined TXA (100 mg/ml) and epinephrine 1:200,000, while the second group (Group B) was operated upon using gauze soaked only with epinephrine 1:200,000.

RESULTS

The amount of bleeding was significantly lower in group A (29.4 ± 17.1 ml) compared to group B (49.1 ± 18.1 ml), with a P value = 0.005. In addition, the number of used gauzes and total surgical time was significantly lower in group A compared to group B, with P value = 0.008 and 0.01 respectively.

CONCLUSION

External DCR using gauze soaked with combined TXA (100 mg/ml) and epinephrine 1:200,000 showed a significant reduction in the amount of intraoperative bleeding compared to gauze soaked with epinephrine 1:200,000 only. The reduction in the amount of bleeding with the addition of TXA resulted in clearer surgical field, shorter surgical time and more surgeon satisfaction.Query.