Bone bleeding during total hip arthroplasty after administration of tranexamic acid

Numerous methods of controlling bleeding during total hip arthroplasty have been used. Thromboplastic agents have been used with some success, but the resultant fibrin layer interposed between the bone and cement weakens the interface. Topical freezing saline and hypotensive anesthesia have proved to be the most effective to date. The goal of this randomized, double blind, controlled study is to determine the effect of a single bolus dose of tranexamic acid, administered at the time of anesthesia, on bleeding during primary total hip arthroplasty. Fifty patients were randomized to receive either 10 mg/kg of tranexamic acid or a similar volume of normal saline as a preoperative bolus. Patients were not given pharmacologic thrombotic prophylaxis until 48 hours after surgery. The goal was to measure blood loss from the femoral canal at the time of surgery. An estimate of the internal and external blood loss during and after surgery was performed, and the transfusion requirement was recorded. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of blood loss from the femoral canal, the perioperative bleeding, and postoperative hemoglobin. In the group that received tranexamic acid, a greater number of patients required transfusion than in the placebo group. The results of this study do not support the routine use of tranexamic acid in primary total hip arthroplasty.