title: Blood Sparing Efficacy of Oral Tranexamic Acid in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tranexamic acid (TXA) is effective in reducing blood loss in primary total knee replacement. Almost all studies used an intravenous form or a topical form. The aim of this study was to assess the blood sparing efficacy and the safety of oral TXA.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with primary total knee replacement performed in our institute from January 2015 to October 2015 were eligible. Oral TXA group was given 1 g oral TXA 2 hours before induction of anesthesia and 6 hours and 12 hours postoperatively. The control group was not given TXA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 94 cases in the oral TXA group and 95 cases in the control group. There was no difference in the baseline characteristics. The oral TXA group had a significantly lower hemoglobin drop (1.7 g/dL vs. 2.5 g/dL), lower drain output (154 mL vs. 203 mL), lower hidden blood loss (244 mL vs. 423 mL) and lower total blood loss (398 mL vs. 626 mL). There was no difference in transfusion rate (1.1% vs. 3.2%) and thromboembolic complication. There was no infection or mortality in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral TXA is effective in reducing blood loss in primary total knee replacement. It is a safe alternative to the intravenous or topical form.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Joint Replacement Center, Yan Chai Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Qunn Jid
authors.initials: QJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Joint Replacement Center, Yan Chai Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Wai Yee
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Ching
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Joint Replacement Center, Yan Chai Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Yiu Chung
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wong
keywords: Arthroplasty; Blood loss; Knee; Oral; Tranexamic acid