title: A randomized control trial to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous, intra-articular and topical wash regimes of tranexamic acid in primary total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: The efficacy of tranexamic acid to decrease post-operative blood loss and blood transfusion is well established in literature. However, the ideal mode of administration is debatable. Limited literature has compared all the available modes of administration including intravenous (IV), topical irrigation and retrograde through drain. We hypothesized that no difference would be present in either form of administration of tranexamic acid.
  
  
  
  Fifty patients in four groups were enrolled for study. Group 1 received drug intravenously, group 2 had topical washing with drug before closure, group 3 received drug after closure through drain and group 4 was control that received no tranexamic acid. Post-operative blood loss, calculated blood loss, haemoglobin drop, transfusion requirements and complications were studied for all four groups.
  
  
  
  Tranexamic acid results in lower bleeding irrespective of the mode of administration compared to control group. Total loss at end of 5 days is similar in all tranexamic acid groups irrespective of method used to deliver the drug. Calculated blood loss and haemoglobin drop was minimum for IV and in patients who were administered drug retrograde through drain. Requirement for blood transfusion was found to be lower in all tranexamic acid patients compared to non-tranexamic acid group. The requirement was highest in topical wash group among all tranexamic acid groups.
  
  
  
  We conclude that intra-articular administration through drain and IV administration are equally effective and superior to topical wash method in reducing blood loss, haemoglobin fall and transfusion requirements.
authors.affiliation: 1 Assistant Professor, Central Institute of Orthopaedics, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Jatin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chonnam National University Bitgoeul Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Keun
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Seon
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chonnam National University Bitgoeul Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chonnam National University Bitgoeul Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Cheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chonnam National University Bitgoeul Hospital, Gwangju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Kyoo
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000368:Aged; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D014148:Tranexamic Acid
keywords: intra-articular; intravenous; topical; total knee arthroplasty; tranexamic acid