title: Effect of tranexamic acid on intraoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements in patients undergoing excision of intracranial meningioma.
abstract: Surgical excision of meningioma is often complicated by significant blood loss requiring blood transfusion with its attendant risks. Although tranexamic acid is used to reduce perioperative blood loss, its blood conservation effect is uncertain in neurosurgery. Sixty adults undergoing elective craniotomy for meningioma excision were randomized to receive either tranexamic acid or placebo, initiated prior to skin incision. Patients in the tranexamic acid group received intravenous bolus of 20mg/kg over 20min followed by an infusion of 1mg/kg/h till the conclusion of surgery. Intraoperative blood loss, transfusion requirements and estimation of surgical hemostasis using a 5-grade scale were noted. Postoperatively, the extent of tumor excision on CT scan and complications were observed. Demographics, tumor characteristics, amount of fluid infusion, and duration of surgery and anesthesia were comparable between the two groups. The amount of blood loss was significantly less in tranexamic acid group compared to placebo (830mlvs 1124ml; p=0.03). The transfusion requirement was less in tranexamic acid group (p>0.05). The patients in tranexamic acid group fared better on a 5-grade surgical hemostasis scale with more patients showing good hemostasis (p=0.007). There were no significant differences between the groups with regards to extent of tumor removal, perioperative complications, hospital stay or neurologic outcome. To conclude, administration of tranexamic acid significantly reduced blood loss in patients undergoing excision of meningioma. Fewer patients in the tranexamic acid group received blood transfusions. Surgical field hemostasis was better achieved in patients who received tranexamic acid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroanaesthesiology & Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Bhavna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hooda
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroanaesthesiology & Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Rajendra Singh
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Chouhan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroanaesthesiology & Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India. Electronic address: girijarath@yahoo.co.in.
authors.forename: Girija Prasad
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Rath
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroanaesthesiology & Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Parmod Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Bithal
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suri
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroanaesthesiology & Critical Care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Ritesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lamsal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014148:Tranexamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D014148:Tranexamic Acid
keywords: Blood transfusion; Intraoperative blood loss; Meningioma; Neurosurgery; Tranexamic acid