The effect of tranexamic acid on hidden blood loss in total hip arthroplasty

• Published in: Joint diseases and related surgery Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 102 - 108
• Main Authors: Akti, Sefa, Zeybek, Hakan, Bilekli, Ahmet Burak, Çelebi, Nilgün Özgül, Erdem, Yusuf, Çankaya, Deniz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Turkey Bayçınar Medical Publishing 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Antifibrinolytic Agents - therapeutic use; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip - adverse effects; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip - methods; Blood Loss, Surgical - prevention & control; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Original; Retrospective Studies; Tranexamic Acid - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 2687-4784; 2687-4792
• DOI: 10.52312/jdrs.2022.446

In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) on hidden blood loss in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. Between June 2015 and June 2021, a total of 120 patients (45 males, 75 females; mean age 57.2±4.9 years; range, 45 to 67 years) with primary osteoarthritis who underwent THA without the use of TXA and 53 patients who received TXA were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, amount of transfusion, early complications, preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values, total blood loss, visible blood loss, and hidden blood loss values were compared. There was a significant difference between the groups with and without the use of TXA in terms of intraoperative bleeding, amount of blood in the drain, total blood loss, hidden blood loss, and blood transfusion (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation was found between intraoperative blood loss and hidden blood loss (r=0.325 p<0.01), while no significant correlation was found between postoperative drainage volume and hidden blood loss (r=-0.006 p=0.946). The use of TXA in patients undergoing THA reduces blood loss, including hidden blood loss, thereby reducing the need for blood transfusion after hip arthroplasty. However, there seems to be no linear relationship between postoperative blood loss and hidden blood loss. Considering these results, the routine use of TXA can be recommended in THA, unless there is a contraindication.