Effect of tranexamic acid use on blood loss in hip surgeries: A prospective randomized controlled study

Abstract

Major orthopedic surgeries are usually associated with high blood loss and the need for blood transfusions. Blood transfusion has got its disadvantages so also the various blood conservation techniques described so far. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, comparative study was done to study the role of tranexamic acid in 60 adults undergoing elective hip surgeries, viz. total hip replacement, hemiarthroplasty hip, intertrochanteric fracture fixation. The patients were grouped into group ‘T’ (Tranexamic acid group) and group ‘S’ (Normal Saline group). Bolus preoperative dose followed by continuous intraoperative infusion was given. The mean blood loss was 412 ± 129.49 ml among ‘T’ group which was less than 528± 117.16 ml in ‘S’ group. The total number of patients who required blood transfusion was higher (26.7%) in ‘S’ group than those in ‘T’ group (16.07%). Thus, preoperative tranexamic acid is effective in reducing intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion requirements in elective hip surgeries.