Backgruond
To compare weight-based versus standard dosing of intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid for blood loss and transfusion amount in total knee arthroplasty (TNA) without tourniquet.
Methods
A total of 99 patients who underwent TNA with the diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis were enrolled in this retrospective case-control study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the application of tranexamic acid. Group 1 (weight-based dosing): 10 mg/kg IV TA 30 min before the skin incision, and 10 mg/kg, at postoperative 30 min, and 3 h. Group 2 (standard dosing): 1 g of IV TA 30 min before skin incision, and 1 g at postoperative 30 min and 3 h. Hemoglobin levels, before, and 1, and 2 days after the operation, postoperative amount of decrease in hemoglobin levels, and amount of erythrocyte transfusion were recorded. Two scoring systems Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Knee Society Score (KSS) were applied in the evaluation of TNA results preoperatively, and at 1., 3., 6., and 12. months, postoperatively.
Results
Both groups did not differ from each other by means of age (p=0.127), gender (p=0.528), BMI (p=0.782), operating sides (p=0.544), existing comorbidities (p=0.987), preoperative hemoglobin level (p=0.718), the amount of hemoglobin reduction (p=0.769), and the amount of erythrocytes transfused (p=0.913). In both study groups, hemoglobin levels in male patients dropped significantly more deeply than female patients. Also, in both study groups, hemoglobin levels were significantly lower in patients with comorbid illnesses. A statistically significant difference was not detected between Groups 1 and 2 in terms of pre- and postoperative WOMAC scores, KSS knee scores, and KSS function scores.
Conclusion
Our study showed that weight-based and standard dosing of IV tranexamic acid treatments were similar in efficacy and safety. Both treatments reduce blood loss and the need for transfusion. Also, there was no significant difference in terms of reliability between the two groups.