Combined topical and intravenous administration of tranexamic acid further reduces postoperative blood loss in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

To indicate whether combined topical and intravenous (IV) administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) could further reduce the blood loss after surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) compared with IV-TXA alone.

METHODS

Ninety AIS patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion were prospectively randomized to combined group (IV + topical- TXA group) and IV-TXA alone group. TXA was infused at a loading dose of 1 g from the beginning of the surgery with a maintenance dose of 10 mg/kg/h until the wound was closed. In the combined group, 2 g TXA was injected retrogradely through a drain, while an equivalent amount of normal saline was injected in the IV-TXA alone group. The drain tube was clamped for 2 h in both groups. The amount of wound drainage and transfusion rates were analyzed.

RESULTS

The drainage volume and duration of drain were significantly lower in the combined group compared with that in the IV-TXA alone group (372.0 ± 129.7 mL vs. 545.2 ± 207.7 mL, P < 0.001;64.7 ± 13.9 h vs. 82.0 ± 12.5 h, P < 0.001). Postoperative length of hospital stay was also significantly shorter in the combined group (6.5 ± 1.51 days vs. 7.95 ± 1.44 days, P < 0.05). Transfusion and complication rates were comparable between the two groups .

CONCLUSIONS

IV injection of TXA combined with retrograde injection of TXA into a drain and clamping it for 2 h could further reduce the total volume of drainage in AIS patients who underwent spinal fusion surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900024177 , Registered 29 June 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=40214.