[Usefulness of tranexamic acid in cranial remodeling surgery].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the usefulness of tranexamic acid (TA) in pediatric cranial remodeling surgery, by analyzing its effects on bleeding and transfusion requirements, number of days of cranial drainage required, and time spent in the postoperative recovery unit.


METHODS
A single-blind, controlled study was designed with 20 patients (10 cases and 10 controls) randomly assigned to receive or not receive 15 mg/kg of intravenous TA upon anesthetic induction, every 4 hours during surgery, and every 8 hours throughout the 48 hours after surgery. Variables analyzed were results of blood tests, blood loss, volume transfused, time in the recovery unit, and complications related to TA infusion.


RESULTS
The group treated with TA experienced less bleeding during surgery than did the controls (199 +/- 60 vs 290 +/- 43 mL) and had less need of intraoperative (176 +/- 104 vs 206 +/- 70 mL) and postoperative transfusion (9 +/- 28 vs 52 +/- 72 mL) 24 hours after surgery. TA group patients also spent less time in the recovery unit (60 +/- 14 vs 72 +/- 11 hours). Blood test variables in TA-treated children were also better 24 hours after surgery with regard to hemoglobin (12.1 +/- 2 vs 11.6 +/- 1.3 mg/dL) and platelet (261 +/- 68.5 vs 181.6 +/- 58.1 platelets/mm3) concentrations, and cephalin time (33 +/- 12 vs 49 +/- 16 seconds). No complications related to TA treatment were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
TA can reduce perioperative bleeding in the context of pediatric cranial remodeling surgery. TA-treated patients have less need of transfusion and this may reduce the rate of related complications as well a make care more efficient.
Servicio de Anestesiología y Reanimación, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, 28046 Madrid. mpilarduran@yahoo.es
P
P
Durán de la Fuente
J
J
García-Fernández
C
C
Pérez-López
F
F
Carceller
F
F
Gilsanz Rodríguez
D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D016913:Blood Component Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006490:Hemostatics; D014148:Tranexamic Acid