Comparative evaluation of blood parameters in patients undergoing cephalomedullary nailing for hip fractures

Abstract

Background: With the rapid increase in the aged population, hip fractures increase rapidly in elderly people and cause a significant social and economic problem. Dynamic hip screw with barrel plate and cephalomedullary nails are the usual methods of internal fixation in these fractures. The former method is associated with significant exposure and dissection for application of the plate. Hip fractures are commonly associated with a relatively large amount of blood loss from the initial injury in addition to blood loss resulting from surgery. Aim: The current study was conducted with the main purpose to evaluate the concentration of hemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) in patients undergoing cephalomedullary nailing fixation of hip fractures receiving tranexamic acid (TXA) in comparison with not receiving TXA. Methods: This is a prospective comparative study done with eligible in-patients (n=71) with hip fractures, planned for cephalomedullary nailing in Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, Tertiary Health Care Centre, Madurai, Tamilnadu. All eligible patients were divided into two groups viz. Group T and Group S. For Group T (TXA Group), intravenous infusion of TXA at the dose level of 15 mg/kg was given at the time of inducing anaesthesia i.e., 15 minutes before skin incision in surgery. For Group S (Saline Group) intravenous infusion of normal saline at the dose level of 15 mg/kg was given at the time of inducing anaesthesia i.e., 15 minutes before skin incision in surgery. The concentration of hemoglobin (Hb) packed cell volume (PCV) was estimated using standardized methods in Group T and Group S and were compared. Results: Patients who received TXA had significantly (p