Topical Tranexamic Acid to Control Vaginal Laceration Bleeding after Sexual Assault

Abstract

BackgroundSexual assault survivors may sustain vaginal trauma that requires intervention in the emergency department, or operating room. Case ReportWe describe the case of a 16-year-old female who was referred to the emergency department for evaluation of continued bleeding from a vaginal laceration following sexual assault 38 h prior. The bleeding limited the medical forensic medical examination, but she was hemodynamically stable. After the application of tranexamic acid (TXA)-soaked gauze, the patient's bleeding was controlled and the wound was able to be evaluated and the examination completed. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?To our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature that describes the use of topical TXA in a patient to achieve hemostasis in a vaginal laceration sustained from sexual violence.