Effect of topical tranexamic acid on reducing blood loss in primary total knee arthroplasty in Southern Chinese population

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical tranexamic acid (TA) on the postoperative blood loss and transfusion rate after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Two hundred ninety-six patients (n = 296) undergoing TKA in Pok Oi Hospital were included in this study from July 2015 to September 2016. The topical TA group (n =154) showed a significant reduction in haemoglobin drop (2.76 g/dL vs. 3.62 g/dL, p < 0.001), haematocrit drop (0.0876 vs. 0.112, p < 0.001), transfusion rate (3.2% vs. 23.9%, p < 0.001), drain output (199 mL vs. 276 mL, p < 0.001) and length of stay (9 days vs. 11 days, p < 0.001) compared with those in the control group (n = 142). There was no thromboembolic complication associated with TA use. The results supported the use of topical TA to control postoperative blood loss after TKA.