title: The effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss in orthognathic surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this article was to evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid on blood loss in orthognathic surgery. A meta-analysis was performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PubMed and EMBASE electronic databases were searched until June 30, 2012. Eligible studies were restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four RCTs with 183 patients were included. The results showed that intraoperative blood loss in the tranexamic acid group was statistically reduced (weighted mean difference [WMD] = -93.56, 95% CI = -132.59-54.52, P < .00001). However, the postoperative levels of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) have no significant difference compared with placebo groups (WMD = 0.50, 95% CIs = -0.43-1.43, P = .29 and WMD = 0.18, 95% CIs = -1.64-1.99, P = .85, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis confirms that tranexamic acid can effectively reduce intraoperative blood loss in orthognathic surgery, especially by intravenous administration. But, tranexamic acid cannot affect postoperative levels of Hb and Hct.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Guodong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Songsong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Yunfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qiushi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D056948:Orthognathic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010919:Placebos; D011182:Postoperative Care; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D010919:Placebos; D014148:Tranexamic Acid