Editorial Commentary: The Current Evidence in Support of Tranexamic Acid in Arthroscopic Surgery Is Poor

Abstract

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been used to treat severe bleeding events for nearly 60 years and is on the list of World Health Organization essential medicines. Initially, it was described to treat heavy menstrual bleeding, but it is now used for a variety of applications. In orthopedic surgery, TXA is commonly used to reduce bleeding after total joint arthroplasty and spine surgery. The use of TXA for joint arthroplasty has been principally endorsed by various orthopedic societies, but they have also criticized a lack of evidence for high-risk patients with a history of pulmonary embolus, vascular stents, stroke, transient ischemic attack, and other cardiac, respiratory, or vascular conditions. TXA may also reduce bleeding complications in arthroscopic surgery, and the findings of recent meta-analyses suggest that intravenous application reduced drainage output and the need for knee joint aspiration and reduced knee swelling. It also had a positive short-term effect on clinical and functional outcomes. However, high risk of bias, low-study quality, and heterogeneity substantially reduced the quality of evidence and the validity of the study conclusions. In my opinion, on the basis of the current evidence, the routine use of TXA in arthroscopic surgery is not recommended.