The efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid for reducing blood loss following simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty: a multicenter retrospective study

Abstract

Abstract Background The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether tranexamic acid (TXA) administration could reduce blood loss and transfusion risk after simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SBTKA). Methods As a multicenter retrospective study, a total of 575 patients were assigned into three groups on the basis of TXA usage, including intravenous (IV) group (1 g IV TXA 5–10 min prior to the incision), combined group (1 g IV TXA combined with intra-articular injection of 1 g TXA prior to the closure every knee) and control group (no TXA use). The primary outcomes were total blood loss (TBL). The secondary outcomes were maximum hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) drop, transfusion rate, drain volume, length of stay, hospitalization expenses and the incidence of complications. Results The mean TBL in control group (1685.0 ± 571.4 mL) were higher than that in IV group (1061.1 ± 689.6 mL, p = 0.006 and combined group (988.3 ± 559.3 mL, p = 0.003). The maximum Hb and Hct drop in combined group (28.5 ± 13.4 g/L, p = 0.016; 0.074 ± 0.053, p 0.05). Conclusions The study indicates that TXA could reduce blood loss with no apparent increase in the incidence of complications during SBTKA.

Keywords

• Total knee arthroplasty
• Simultaneous bilateral
• Tranexamic acid
• Blood loss
• Transfusion