TRANEXAMIC ACID IN TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENTS: A META-ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background: Total hip replacement (THR) is one of the commonest operations in orthopaedic practice.

Literature review showed that 20–70% of patients who underwent THR needed 1–3 units of blood. Although safer than ever, allogeneic transfusion is still associated with risks for the recipient. There has been unsettled search for ways to reduce such blood loss and transfusion.

Tranexamic acid has been popularised as an effective way to reduce blood loss and subsequent blood transfusion.

Objectives: To investigate the value of Tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss and blood transfusion after THR and other clinical outcomes such as deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), ischaemic heart diseases and mortality.

Patients and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomised and quasi-randomised trials which used tranexamic acid to reduce blood loss in hip arthroplasty was conducted. The data was evaluated using the generic evaluation tool designed by the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group.

Results:

Blood loss

• Seven studies (250 patients) were eligible for this outcome. Using Tranexamic acid reduced blood loss by an average of 155 ml (P-value < 0.00001, 95% CI (87–224), Heterogeneity I2 69 %.)

Blood transfusion

• Nine studies (463 patients) were eligible for this outcome. Tranexamic acid led to a reduction in the proportion of patients requiring blood transfusion (Odds Ratio of 0.35, P- value < 0.00001, 95% CI (0.22–0.55), Heterogeneity I2 25 %.)

Other outcomes

• There were no significant differences in the length of stay, DVT, PE, mortality, wound haematoma or infections between the study groups.

Conclusion: The use of Tranexamic acid in THR results in significant reduction of blood loss and blood transfusion.