Safety and Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid in Hepatic Surgery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized...

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used across surgical specialties to reduce perioperative blood loss, yet its specific role in hepatic resection remains unclear. This meta-analysis, performed according to PRISMA guidelines, evaluated the efficacy and safety of TXA in liver surgery. Outcomes of interest included mean intraoperative blood loss, the proportion of patients receiving transfusion, and mean units of red blood cells transfused intraoperatively and postoperatively. Secondary endpoints included postoperative mortality, thromboembolic events, and hospital length of stay. Of 36 articles assessed, nine studies met eligibility criteria for inclusion. TXA use was associated with a statistically significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss (SMD - 0.18; 95% CI, - 0.28 to - 0.09; p < 0.01), although transfusion requirements did not differ significantly between groups (RR 0.81; 95% CI, 0.47-1.38; p = 0.44). Interpretation of these findings is limited by substantial heterogeneity among included studies (I² = 82%). While TXA appears effective in reducing intraoperative bleeding, its use may confer a higher risk of postoperative thromboembolic complications, suggesting that TXA administration during hepatic resection should be selective and individualized rather than routine.