Tranexamic Acid Reduces Blood Loss In Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty:a Retrospective Study

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the intra-operative use of tranexamic acid on blood loss in primary total knee arthroplasty surgery.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed134patients from Jan1,2011to May1,2014underwent total knee arthroplasty. Patients were divided into three groups:intravenous (IV) group (n=50,400mg of tranexamic acid dissolved in100mL of normal saline was intravenously infused before deflation of the tourniquet), combination group (n=45, combination of400mg of tranexamic acid intravenously infused and400mg of tranexamic acid topically injection) and control group (n=39). Blood loss, blood transfusion rate, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, prothrombin time, complications of each group were compared, together with the length of stays and hospital costs.ResultsAmong the three groups, the characteristics of patients were not statistically significantly different. Compared with control group, total RBC loss, hidden RBC loss, rate of blood transfusion, length of stays and hospital costs in IV group and combination group were significant reduced. There was no significant difference in occurrence of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in three groups.ConclusionsUse of tranexamic acid in primary total knee arthroplasty could reduce blood loss, and therefore, decrease the rate of blood transfusion, length of stays and hospital costs, without increasing extra rate of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.