Tranexamic acid reduces blood cost in long-segment spinal fusion surgery: A randomized controlled study protocol

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Anesthesiology
• Hematology

Background:

• Long-segment spinal fusion surgery is associated with significant perioperative blood loss, potentially increasing hospitalization costs and mortality.
• Tranexamic acid (TXA) has shown efficacy in reducing blood product usage and costs in joint arthroplasty.
• The effectiveness of TXA in long-segment spinal fusion surgery remains a subject of debate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing allogeneic blood product transfusion rates.
• To assess the impact of TXA on transfusion costs in patients undergoing degenerative lumbar scoliosis surgery.

Main Methods:

• A double-blinded, randomized clinical trial involving 80 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis undergoing long-segment spinal fusion.
• Patients received either tranexamic acid (TXA) intravenously or a saline placebo before surgery.
• Primary outcomes included blood loss, transfusion rates, and associated costs; secondary outcomes included surgical time and thrombotic complications.

Main Results:

• Clinical outcomes between the TXA experimental group and the control group were presented in a table.

Conclusions:

• Tranexamic acid (TXA) is hypothesized to be effective and safe for reducing blood transfusions and costs.
• Further analysis of the results is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of TXA in this surgical context.