Results after the application of tranexamic acid intravenous or intra-articular in the control of postsurgical bleeding after total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract

A frequent complication after total hip arthroplasty is bleeding; to reduce it, intravenous or intra-articular tranexamic acid (TXA) is used. There is no evidence yet on which route of administration is better. This was a prospective, controlled, randomized study in 2 arms between February 2017 and February 2019. In group A, 15mg/kg intravenous TXA was administered and in group B 2g intra-articular TXA. Haemoglobin and haematocrit values were evaluated at 24-72h, also volume of drained blood, volume of blood lost, transfusions and complications. A total of 195 patients were included: 110 in group A and 85 group B. Haemoglobin dropped 3.10 ± 1.32g/dl in 24h and 3.63 ± 1.41g/dl at 72h in group A; the haematocrit dropped 8.38 ± 4.67% in 24h and 15.40 ± 4.39% in 72h. In group B, haemoglobin dropped 3.09 ± 1.40g/dl in 24h and 3.34 ± 1.23g/dl in 72h and haematocrit 9.75 ± 3.95% and 10.40 ± 3.72% in 24 and 72h. No significant differences were found for haemoglobin values at 24 and 72h and haematocrit at 24h (p > 0.05); we did not obtain statistically significant differences in drainage, blood loss between groups or in the proportion of transfused. When stratifying the results by age, we obtained significant differences in the decrease in haemoglobin (p = 0.021) and haematocrit (p = 0.025) in patients > 65years. The different routes of administration of TXA in PTC have a similar effect in reducing post-operative bleeding without evidencing an increase in complications. I.