Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Blood Loss During Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: An Interventional Study

An interventional study was conducted in the Department of Urology at a tertiary care center in Dehradun, India, to assess the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing blood loss during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

A total of 99 patients with renal calculi were recruited for this study over a period of 18 months. Subjects were selected from patients presenting with a history of flank pain in the Outpatient Department (OPD). Written informed consent for the inclusion of patient data in the study was obtained from all participants. The study was undertaken after obtaining ethical clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee.

In this study, there was no statistical difference in gender between the groups receiving TXA and those not receiving it (p-value = 0.492). The mean age of the recruited cases in both groups was between 42 and 43 years. This study recorded calyceal puncture sites, irrigating fluid used, and pre- and postoperative hemoglobin and packed cell volume (PCV) values to calculate blood loss. Additionally, body mass index (BMI), co-morbidities, stone size, ease of puncture and dilatation, and operative time were recorded as other variables for both groups. There was no mortality observed in any of the patients postoperatively. Blood loss was much lower in patients receiving TXA.

TXA is safe and effective in reducing blood loss during PCNL.