Effect of a Single Dose of Tranexamic Acid Administered during Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hamstrings: a Randomized Clinical Study
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is one of the most common reconstruction surgeries. The unintended consequences of the surgery are hemarthrosis, blood loss, knee swelling and postoperative pain.
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of a single dose of intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) on the postoperative parameters and functional status of the knee joint 3 months after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS It is a prospective randomised clinical study.
An intravenous injection of TXA equivalent to 15 mg/kg in 100 ml of saline solution was administered to the test group during the surgery (20 minutes before the end of the surgery). The control group was administered 100 ml of saline solution without TXA.
In both groups, the following parameters were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively (on Day 1 and Day 10 and at 1 month and 3 months): thigh circumference at 1 cm above the patella, Coupens and Yates (CY) score for swelling, and pain score (VAS). At 24 hours after the surgery, the blood loss (secretion into the drain) and decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (HCT) levels compared to the preoperative levels were assessed.
The functional status of the knee joint was assessed based on the Lysholm knee scoring scale and the IKDC subjective knee evaluation form preoperatively, or at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS In the test group, a significantly lower blood loss was detected 24 hours after the surgery.
The mean difference of 128 ml compared to the control group was both statistically and practically significant (p < 0.001, d =1.42). The test group showed a lower decrease in Hb and HCT levels postoperatively compared to the control group, although with no statistical significance.
On the first postoperative day, slightly better results of the thigh circumference at 1 cm above the patella and of the CY score were observed in the test group. However, during the follow-up check performed postoperatively on Day 10, the differences in the thigh circumference at 1 cm above the patella, CY score and pain VAS score were negligible.
The differences in the functional status of the knee joint between the two groups ascertained during the check performed 1 month and 3 months after the surgery were insignificant. DISCUSSION Our study, just like other studies, confirms a significant effect of a single dose of intravenous TXA on the volume of blood loss and early postoperative swelling, which are the parameters affecting the early postoperative course.
Even though the intervention does not affect the subsequent result of surgery, it can undoubtedly be of benefit perioperatively. There is a fairly limited number of randomised clinical studies on this topic in literature, with most of them published in the last 7 years.
Further research should, among other things, optimise the protocol and identify a suitable candidate for TXA administration in patients undergoing an ACL reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirmed the positive effect of a single dose of intravenous TXA during the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament using hamstrings on early postoperative blood loss and early postoperative swelling, which can have a positive effect on wound healing and prevent postoperative complications.
Therefore, in agreement with available literature, we recommend administering a single dose of intravenous TXA in ACL reconstruction, unless there is a contraindication to this therapy.