The Effects of Systemic Tranexamic Acid Administration on Drainage Volume, Length of Hospital Stay, and Postoperative Complications in Reduction Mammaplasty

Abstract

Background: Reduction mammaplasty is a common, elective, and safe operation, usually executed in healthy patients. Nonetheless, postoperative complications like bleeding and seroma formation can occur and significantly complicate the postoperative course. Tranexamic acid (TXA), a commonly used antifibrinolytic drug, offers a novel approach to reduce these complications. This study aims to evaluate its effect on the rate of postoperative bleeding, drainage volume, length of hospital stay, and other postoperative complications in patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty. Method: A retrospective study on all patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty at the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery EOC between 2015 and 2022 was conducted. Patients were divided into the TXA group receiving systemic TXA for 48 h and the control group not receiving any TXA. All data were analyzed using nonparametric formulas. Results: A total of 209 breasts were included in the study, with 138 cases in the control group and 71 in the TXA group. Three cases requiring revision surgery due to bleeding were observed in the control group, whereas none were observed in the TXA group. Total drainage volume was significantly reduced in the TXA group compared to the control group (TXA: 41.6 mL vs. control: 53.8 mL; p = 0.012), resulting in a significant reduction in length of hospital stay (TXA: 1.6 days vs. control: 2.2 days; p = 0.0001). Conclusions: TXA is a well-tolerated drug that significantly reduces postoperative bleeding and drainage volume, resulting in earlier drain removal and reduced length of hospital stay. TXA should, therefore, be widely used in plastic surgery, especially as trends in healthcare systems necessitate more outpatient procedures and quicker postoperative recovery.