Intravenous Administration of Tranexamic Acid Significantly Reduces Visible and Hidden Blood Loss Compared with Its Topical Administration for Double-Segment Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Single-Center, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Tranexamic acid (TXA) significantly reduces the visible and hidden blood loss associated with joint replacement. At present, many studies have examined the safety and effectiveness of the intravenous or topical administration of TXA after posterior lumbar surgery. However, randomized and controlled trials examining the presence of differences in the effect of TXA on the visible and hidden blood loss between these 2 modes of administration are lacking. The current study investigated the effects of intravenous and topical administrations of TXA on the visible and hidden blood loss of patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). METHODS: In a single-center, placebo-controlled, randomized design, a total of 150 patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent PLIF between September 2015 and August 2017 volunteered for this study. Of these patients, 126 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: the intravenous administration group (n = 45, group A), the topical administration group (n = 39, group B), or the placebo group (n = 42, group C). SPSS, version 17.0, was used to analyze the patient data, their blood biochemical indices, blood loss, and the number of blood transfusions across the 3 groups during the perioperative period. RESULTS: The postoperative drainage volume, number of blood transfusions, length of hospital stay, and extubation time significantly differed between group C and both groups A and B (P < 0.05); however, no significant differences were noted between groups A and B (P > 0.05). Intraoperative blood loss and visible or hidden blood loss as well as the levels of postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit significantly differed among the 3 groups (P < 0.01). The results of the visual analogue scale, prothrombin time, and fibrinogen content did not significantly differ among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing double-segment PLIF, both administrations of TXA can reduce blood loss, extubation time, and the length of hospital stay. Moreover, intravenous administration can reduce both visible and hidden blood loss more efficiently.

Clinical Research of Combined Intravenous Administration and Topical Application of Tranexamic Acid to a Surgical Wound During Posterior Lumbar Fusion.

BACKGROUND: The safety and effectiveness of combined intravenous and topical administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) on the reduction of blood loss in patients undergoing posterior lumbar fusion are not yet clear. The study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the combined intravenous and topical administration of TXA on the reduction of blood loss in patients undergoing posterior lumbar fusion. METHOD: One hundred and eighteen patients who underwent double-segment posterior lumbar decompression and fusion from February 2014 to May 2016 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups, the experimental group and the control group. Preoperative demographics, operative parameters, and adverse effect were recorded and compared. RESULTS: Intraoperative blood loss, postoperative 24-hour drainage volume, and blood transfusion ratio and volume were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P < .01); on postoperative 24 hours and 48 hours, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P < .01). Prothrombin time and fibrinogen content were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The postoperative length of hospital stay was shorter in the experimental group than in the control group (P < .01). No postoperative thrombotic events were reported in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Combined intravenous and topical administration of TXA seems to be effective and safe in reducing allogenic blood transfusion and blood loss in double-segment posterior lumbar decompression and fusion surgery.

[Anterolateral minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique for distal humeral shaft fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the modified anterolateral minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique for distal humeral shaft fracture, and to explore its feasibility, security, advantage and disadvantage. METHODS: Th e clinical efficacy of 17 patients with distal humeral shaft fracture, who were treated with the anterolateral humerus minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis during 2009 to 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. Th e operative time, bleeding volume, complications, esseous union time and range of motion (ROM) of elbow were recorded, and the functional outcome of elbow joint was evaluated by Mayo elbow performance score (MEPs). The varus angle was measured in the malunion patients aft er the distal humeral shaft fracture healed. RESULTS: All of the 17 patients obtained bony union at an average of 19.2 weeks postoperatively, an average of 4.5 screwes were inserted in distal humerus. Th e mean ROM of elbows was 133° and the MEPS were 98.2. Seven patients suffered humeral malalignment and the mean varus degrees were 8.3°. CONCLUSION: The technique of anterolateral humerus minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis is safe and feasible for distal humeral shaft, and the satisfactory clinical outcomes can be obtained by this modified technique. However, some of the patients may appear malunion with varus angulation of humerus.