Effect of Tranexamic Acid on Postoperative Bleeding in Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Randomized Trial

Research on the timing and efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) use for perioperative bleeding in bariatric surgery is lacking. To evaluate the effects of TXA use on clinical outcomes in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) by comparing TXA use at the beginning of induction with TXA use at the end of surgery and placebo use.

Between February 2022 and August 2022, 177 patients were randomized into three groups: TXA administered at the beginning of induction (TXAI), TXA administered at the end of surgery (TXAP), and placebo groups. Preoperative and postoperative care was standardized, and all patients received LSG. Analyzed using ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, and Student's t-test.

No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of operative time and blood loss. There were significantly fewer intraoperative bleeding points in the TXAI group compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). Postoperative bleeding was significantly lower in the TXAI and TXAP groups compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). Hemoglobin and CRP levels showed significant differences between the groups. TXA administration did not cause a significant decrease in coagulation values, and there were no cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during the follow-up period.

This study provides evidence that TXA administered during LSG is effective in reducing postoperative bleeding. No data were obtained regarding the superiority of TXA administration at the beginning of induction and at the end of surgery.

ClinicalTrials.gov with the registration code NCT05696951, 25 January 2023: https://www.

gov/study/NCT05696951 .