Abstract
Background
Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic drug that has been shown to successfully reduce postoperative blood loss in total knee and hip arthroplasty. However, the efficacy of TXA following total shoulder arthroplasty has not been reported.
Purpose
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the impact of intravenous TXA on postoperative blood loss and transfusion rates in total shoulder reconstruction.
Methods
Between July and December 2014, 50 patients scheduled for primary total shoulder arthroplasty of the shoulder were included in this blinded, randomized study. Patients received either 1000mg intravenous TXA within thirty minutes before skin incision and another 1000mg intravenously administered TXA during wound closure (group 1), or a placebo (group 2). The perioperative blood loss and the rate of blood transfusions were analyzed.
Results
Early postoperative blood loss was 80.0±105.5ml in the TXA group (group 1), and 202.1±195.8ml in the placebo group (group 2). The administration of blood products was not necessary during the study period.
Conclusion
The administration of intravenous tranexamic acid significantly reduced the postoperative blood loss following total shoulder arthroplasty.
