title: [Topical application of tranexamic acid to prevent post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Haemorrhage after tonsillectomy (TE) is a frequent and possibly major complication. The aim of the present study was to examine, if the rate of haemorrhage after tonsillectomy could be reduced by the topical application of Tranexamic acid (TXA) postoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 2011 and April 2013, all patients (n=246) received TXA postoperatively to prevent haemorrhage after TE. The patients were instructed to dilute 1 ampulla of TXA in 300 ml of tap water (concentration 0.2%) from postoperative day 5-10 and to gargle or spray the tonsillar fossae 5-6 times daily. The study group was compared retrospectively with a control group of patients undergoing TE with-out postoperative application of TXA from December 2010 to November 2011 (n=248).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall rate of postoperative haemorrhage was 19% and 22% in the study and control group, respectively. The rate of postoperative bleeding that needed surgical intervention was at 8.9% and 11.3% in the study and control group, respectively. Topical application of TXA did not significantly reduce the rate of postoperative haemorrhage after TE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topically applied TXA did not reduce postoperative haemorrhage after TE. However, a slight tendency to less bleeding which needed surgical intervention was found in pa-tients older than ≥ 12 years.
authors: HNO-Klinik, Kantonsspital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Hinder
authors: HNO-Klinik, Kantonsspital Baselland, Liestal, Switzerland.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Tschopp
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014068:Tonsillectomy; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014148:Tranexamic Acid