Comparison of the efficacy of hot saline irrigation and tranexamic acid on Boezaart score, intraoperative blood loss, and duration of surgery in functional endoscopic sinus surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Link of Video Abstract: https://youtu.be/wEp6PioGVqw Background: Hot saline irrigation and tranexamic acid are techniques used to control bleeding during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Hot saline irrigation and tranexamic acid can help control bleeding originating from microvascular located in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. This study aims to compare the efficacy of these two techniques on Boezaart score, intraoperative blood loss, and duration of surgery in functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods: This study is an intervention meta-analysis, the research formulated based on the population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study design (PICOS). Articles were searched from five databases, including PubMed Central and publisher websites, Cochrane Library, ResearchGate, SAGE Journals, and Web of Science. There were no publication year or publication status restrictions on the selected research articles, and the date of the last search was up to February 2023. The efficacy of hot saline irrigation as a bleeding control method compared to tranexamic acid was assessed based on Boezaart surgical field score, intraoperative bleeding, and duration of surgery in functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Results: A total of 532 research articles were identified, and fifteen articles that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. Hot saline irrigation p-value p=0.0002 and for tranexamic acid p=<0.00001 based on Boezaart score. Hot saline irrigation p= 0.0001 and tranexamic acid had a p= 0.0002 based on the Intraoperative blood loss, but the standardized mean difference in the hot saline irrigation group was smaller compared to the tranexamic acid topical group. Hot saline irrigation p=0.06 and tranexamic acid p=0.13 for duration of surgery. Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that the administration of tranexamic acid or hot saline irrigation could significantly reduce duration of surgery, intraoperative blood loss and improved surgical feld quality compared with room temperature saline irrigation. There is no statistically significant difference between tranexamic acid topical and hot saline irrigation.