Publication:

Intraarticular use of tranexamic acid during primary total knee arthroplasty

Background Tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective in reduction of blood loss after major surgical procedures. In TKA surgeries, it is commonly administered intravenously. Since there are contraindications of systemic use of TXA, local/intraarticular TXA can also be used. The efficacy of both systemic and local TXA administration is demonstrated in the literature. The aim was to assess the effect of intraarticular TXA during total knee arthroplasty in terms of total blood loss and transfusion rate.

Methods A total of 50 TKA in 34 patients were included in this prospective study.  Patients received one dose of intraarticular TXA of 3 g after skin closure and before deflation of the tourniquet.

Results The mean total blood loss in intra-articular TXA was 456.9 ml. None of the patients required transfusion postoperatively including those who underwent bilateral staged TKR. Mean postoperative hemoglobin loss was 1.07.

Conclusions TXA reduced blood loss and transfusion requirement. Intra-articular administration of TXA seems to be more effective in terms of reducing total blood loss and transfusion rates. We recommend administration of topical TXA in primary TKA in healthy patients to decrease perioperative blood loss.