Commentary: Clinical and Financial Benefits of Intra-Articular Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

means to treat end-stage knee arthritis. The annual number of TKAs has been increasing worldwide. Various means have been used to reduce blood loss and the incidence of blood transfusion during TKA.1,2 In TKA patients, the predictors of the need for blood transfusion are preoperative haemoglobin level, intra-operative blood loss, and post-operative drain output.3 The use of tranexamic acid has gained popularity, partly attributable to the advocacy of fast track surgery. In this issue, Goyal et al.4 compared the early clinical outcome in patients who underwent primary TKA with the use of intra-articular TXA. The authors reported a lower transfusion rate and shorter hospital stay in the TXA than control group. The total cost saving with regard to the reduced blood transfusion was AU$144 per patient. Combined with the shortened hospital stay, the total saving was AU$631 Commentary: Clinical and financial benefits of intra-articular tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty