Effects of tranexamic acid on the drainage duration after total knee arthroplasty / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effects of tranexamic acid on the drainage duration after primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:From June 2017 to December 2018, a total of 182 patients (42 males and 140 females) who underwent primary TKA were included. The age of patients was 68.1±7.1 years (60-76 years). According to the random number table, the subjects were divided into four groups: 45 cases in tranexamic acid group 1 (TXA1), 46 cases in tranexamic acid group 2 (TXA2), 46 cases in tranexamic acid group 3 (TXA3) and others in none tranexamic acid group (NTXA). The patients in TXA1-3 groups received intravenous infusion combined with local application of tranexamic acid. The patients in NTXA group were locally perfused in the joint cavity with 100 ml normal saline after surgery. The drainage volume, total blood loss, invisible blood loss, degree of postoperative joint swelling, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain were compared among the four groups.Results:The postoperative drainage volume of TXA1-3 groups was 85.5±34.3 ml, 189.4±72.3 ml and 215.3±93.4 ml, respectively, which were less than that of the NTXA group (351.3±113.5 ml) with significant difference ( F=11.5, P=0.005). The postoperative drainage volume of TXA1 group was less than that of TXA2-3 groups. The total postoperative blood loss was 699.0±255.7 ml, 710.4±296.1 ml, and 715.8±248.2 ml in the TXA1-3 groups, respectively, which were less than that of the NTXA group (1 130.5±354.2 ml) with significant difference ( F=13.1, P=0.001). At the 4th day after TKA, the knee swelling degree of TXA1-3 groups was 1.25±0.07, 1.13±0.12, and 1.12±0.13, respectively, which were less severe than that of the NTXA group (1.43±0.22) with significant difference ( F=8.23, P=0.015). There were 2 cases with positive bacterial culture in NTXA group and TXA3, 3 cases with hematoma and 1 case with delayed wound healing in the NTXA group. Conclusion:The application of tranexamic acid after TKA can reduce postoperative drainage volume, latent blood loss and total blood loss. The removal of the drainage at 18 h after the operation can not only drain completely, relieve pain and promote knee joint function, but also effectively reduce the risk of infection associated drainage.