[Is intraarticular administration of tranexamic acid efficient and safe as systemic administration in total knee...

This study aims to compare the efficiency and safety of intraarticular and intravenous tranexamic acid administration in patients who were performed primary total knee arthroplasty.

This single center, randomized, controlled trial included 60 patients (8 males, 52 females; mean age 67.8 years; range 53 to 87 years) who were performed primary total knee arthroplasty by three surgeons due to a diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis between January 2015 and June 2015. Patients were separated into three groups. Patients in group 1 and group 2 were administered 2 g intravenous tranexamic acid and 2 g intraarticular tranexamic acid, respectively. Patients in group 3 were not administered tranexamic acid. Pre- and postoperative hemoglobin difference, volume of blood collected in drains, and transfusion rate were analyzed.

Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in terms of total blood loss from the drain, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin difference, and the need for blood transfusion.

Both intraarticular and intravenous administrations reduce blood loss and need for transfusion and there is no significant difference between the two techniques in terms of safety.