Comparative effectiveness and safety of tranexamic acid plus diluted epinephrine to control blood loss during total hip arthroplasty: a meta-analysis

Consensus document on the management of wound closure in orthopaedic surgery

Wounds in orthopaedic surgery differ from wounds in other surgical fields in various ways. Tissues that are highly affected due to the trauma itself, the presence of an orthopaedic implant and the performance of prosthetic surgery in patients with many comorbidities make these wounds need special consideration. Complications of the surgical wound in orthopaedic surgery are not unusual, being the main cause of medical care and readmission in the first 90 days. There is no consensus on the best way to perform closure in orthopaedic surgery. The national 'Adequate Wound Management in Orthopaedic Surgery' survey has shown interindividual variability in wound closure and soft tissue management in orthopaedic surgery at the local level. This consensus document, generated by a group of experts in soft tissue management in orthopaedic surgery, proposes recommendations based on evidence (using the GRADE methodology) to promote best practices in this field. This document considers recommendations for surgical wound closure, dressing management and haemostasis. In addition, some of the 32 questions in the national survey, plus others relevant to the subject, were taken as a starting point for developing the contents.

Hemostatic effect of oxidized regenerated cellulose vs. topical tranexamic acid in total knee arthroplasty-a prospective randomized controlled trial

Aims

This study compared the hemostatic effects and complications of oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) and topical TXA in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), thus providing a reference for the use of ORC as an alternative hemostatic agent to TXA in TKA.

Methods

A total of 105 patients were included in this study and randomized into blank control, ORC, and TXA groups. The primary outcomes were total blood loss, hemoglobin drop (Hb drop), transfusion rates, and incidence of thrombosis. The secondary outcomes included operation time, tourniquet duration, coagulation parameters, inflammation markers, and complication rates.

Results

Total blood loss was 1,002.47 ± 308.58 ml and 964.68 ± 273.00 ml in the ORC and TXA groups, respectively, both significantly lower than that in the blank control group (1,168.94 ± 405.04 ml) (P 1 = 0.043 and P 2 = 0.014, respectively). Hb Drop was statistically insignificantly different between the ORC (36.03 ± 12.17 g/L) and TXA (34.32 ± 10.19 g/L) groups (P = 0.555). There was no statistically significant difference in transfusion rate, operation time, tourniquet duration, coagulation parameters, inflammation markers, and complication rates among the three groups.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) highlights that, oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC) can reduce postoperative invisible blood loss in total knee arthroplasty and achieve a hemostatic effect similar to topical tranexamic acid (TXA). This provides a safe and effective hemostatic option for patients with severe underlying diseases or contraindications to tranexamic acid.

Clinical Trial registration

https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/project/edit?pid=186370, identifier (ChiCTR2200066633).

Does epinephrine use reduce perioperative blood loss during pelvic and femoral osteotomy with open reduction of the patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip?

OBJECTIVES

In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the use of epinephrine solution-impregnated gauzes and irrigation fluid with epinephrine could reduce perioperative blood loss during the combined surgical treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2018 and June 2023, a total of 68 pediatric patients (8 males, 60 females; mean age: 32.4±13.2 months; range, 18 to 98 months) who underwent combined surgery for DDH were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups as those who used topical epinephrine in the surgical sites during combined surgical treatment (n=34) and those who did not (n=34). Demographic and clinical characteristics and pre-, intra-, and postoperative data were recorded. To avoid transfusion complications, blood transfusion was performed in only symptomatic patients in the postoperative period.

RESULTS

Age, sex, weight, and surgical duration were similar between the two groups (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels (p>0.05) There were statistically significantly differences between the groups in terms of postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, perioperative amount of blood loss, and postoperative length of hospital stay (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of intraoperative hemodynamic parameters (p>0.05). The differences in perioperative and estimated intraoperative blood loss amounts and length of hospital stay were statistically significant between the groups (p<0.001). There was a significant relationship between the groups in terms of perioperative and estimated intraoperative blood loss, and transfusion of blood products (p<0.01). Blood transfusion was administered to five patients in the no epinephrine group. No local complications were observed in any group; however, one patient had transfusion-related fever and one patient had allergic skin lesions in the no epinephrine group.

CONCLUSION

The intraoperative topical use of epinephrine irrigation solution and epinephrine solution-impregnated gauze dressings is effective and safe in reducing blood loss in DDH patients.

Management of severe peri-operative bleeding: Guidelines from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care: Second update 2022

BACKGROUND

Management of peri-operative bleeding is complex and involves multiple assessment tools and strategies to ensure optimal patient care with the goal of reducing morbidity and mortality. These updated guidelines from the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) aim to provide an evidence-based set of recommendations for healthcare professionals to help ensure improved clinical management.

DESIGN

A systematic literature search from 2015 to 2021 of several electronic databases was performed without language restrictions. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies and to formulate recommendations. A Delphi methodology was used to prepare a clinical practice guideline.

RESULTS

These searches identified 137 999 articles. All articles were assessed, and the existing 2017 guidelines were revised to incorporate new evidence. Sixteen recommendations derived from the systematic literature search, and four clinical guidances retained from previous ESAIC guidelines were formulated. Using the Delphi process on 253 sentences of guidance, strong consensus (>90% agreement) was achieved in 97% and consensus (75 to 90% agreement) in 3%.

DISCUSSION

Peri-operative bleeding management encompasses the patient's journey from the pre-operative state through the postoperative period. Along this journey, many features of the patient's pre-operative coagulation status, underlying comorbidities, general health and the procedures that they are undergoing need to be taken into account. Due to the many important aspects in peri-operative nontrauma bleeding management, guidance as to how best approach and treat each individual patient are key. Understanding which therapeutic approaches are most valuable at each timepoint can only enhance patient care, ensuring the best outcomes by reducing blood loss and, therefore, overall morbidity and mortality.

CONCLUSION

All healthcare professionals involved in the management of patients at risk for surgical bleeding should be aware of the current therapeutic options and approaches that are available to them. These guidelines aim to provide specific guidance for bleeding management in a variety of clinical situations.

Local infiltration analgesia with bupivacaine and adrenaline does not reduce perioperative blood loss in total hip arthroplasty

This study evaluates the effect of local infiltration analgesia with bupivacaine and adrenaline on perioperative blood loss in total hip arthroplasty. Patients who had primary total hip arthroplasty were retrospectively assigned to two groups. One group had 100 ml of bupivacaine/adrenaline solution injected into periarticular soft tissues at the end of the procedure. There were 55 patients in the infiltrated hip group and 44 patients in the not infiltrated group. Patients’ hemoglobin level (Hb), hematocrit (HTC), red blood count (RBC), platelet count (PLT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) as well as the need for blood transfusions were compared statistically between groups preoperatively and postoperatively. There were no significant differences between Hb, HTC or RBC levels as well as the rate and amount of blood transfusions on the 1^st, 4^th postoperative days or at patients’ discharge between infiltrated and not infiltrated groups. This study does not support the hypothesis that the use of local infiltration analgesia with adrenaline may reduce perioperative blood loss in total hip arthroplasty.

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of systemic and topical intra-articular administration of tranexamic acid in primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent used to reduce bleeding in major surgical procedures. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of the systemic and topical intra-articular administration of TXA in total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODS

Patients (N = 123) scheduled for primary unilateral THA were divided into 3 treatment groups: control group; TXA, systemic, repeated 1 g bolus; TXA, topically intra-articularly, 2 g in 50 mL saline. Primary readouts used were intra- and postoperative bleeding, transfusion requirement, postoperative hemoglobin levels and complications.

RESULTS

Both systemic and topical intra-articular TXA administrations decreased bleeding and transfusion requirements. Topical intra-articular use of TXA led to the reduction in intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and affected hemoglobin levels compared with control. Systemic administration of TXA led to a significant reduction of postoperative bleeding and transfusion rate compared with control and was not different in efficacy and complication incidence when compared to topical administration of TXA.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of TXA to reduce blood loss and transfusion requirements in THA is an effective and safe concept in practice. The dose of 2 g TXA topically intra-articularly and a repeated bolus of 1 g TXA systematic led to lower intra- and postoperative bleeding and a significantly lower transfusion rate than the control group. Topical intra-articular TXA administration could be a reasonable alternative in high-risk patients.

Tranexamic acid evidence and controversies: An illustrated review

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent commonly used for the treatment or prevention of bleeding. Indications for TXA are diverse, including heavy menstrual bleeding, trauma, postpartum hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, and surgical site bleeding. Despite decades of use and a robust body of evidence, hesitancy using TXA persists in many clinical settings. This illustrated review describes the history, pharmacology, and practical considerations of TXA use. We also describe the major landmark randomized controlled trials of TXA and their implications. Finally, we review the evidence around common controversies surrounding TXA such as the risk of thrombosis, prescription along with combined hormonal contraceptives, and use in patients with gross hematuria.

Direct Anterior Approach Versus Posterolateral Approach in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

Objective

To compare the early rehabilitation effects of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the direct anterior approach (DAA) versus the posterior approach (PA).

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and Google databases from inception to June 2019 to select studies that compared the DAA and PA for THA. Only randomized controlled trials (RCT) were included. Two researchers independently screened studies for inclusion, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality. A meta‐analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software provided by Cochrane Assisted Network.

Results

A total of 932 patients underwent THA. There were 467 cases in group DAA and 465 cases in group PA. There was a significant difference in the incidence of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury between DAA and PA groups (RR = 38.97, 95% CI: 7.89–192.57, P < 0.05). DAA was associated with less pain compared with PA [WMD = −0.65, 95% CI (−0.91–0.38), P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in operation time, hospitalization stay, and intraoperative bleeding volume. Moreover, in supplementary data, the number of acetabular prostheses in Lewinnek's safety zones in DAA was more than that in the PA group (RR = 1.20, 95% CI [1.04–1.39], P < 0.05), and the time of discontinuation of walking aids in the DAA group was earlier than that in the PA group (WMD = −11.05, 95% CI [−17.79–4.31], P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The DAA total hip arthroplasty has comparable results with PA, with earlier postoperative functional recovery, less postoperative pain scores, and higher incidence of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury. The results need to be validated by large‐sample, high‐quality RCT studies, and long‐term follow‐up of complications.

Orthognathic Surgery-Induced Fibrinolytic Shutdown Is Amplified by Tranexamic Acid

PURPOSE

Little is known of the systemic effects of oral and maxillofacial surgery on the hemostatic balance, including the biochemical effects of tranexamic acid (TXA), on fibrin clot lysis. The present study investigated the effects of orthognathic surgery on fibrin lysis, fibrin structure, and D-dimer and evaluated the effect of TXA on these fibrinolytic measures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present double-blind, controlled, and randomized, placebo study included patients referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Hospital of Southern Denmark-Esbjerg from August 2014 through September 2016. The patients were elective and had a diagnosis of maxillary or mandibular deficiency, either excessive or asymmetric. All patients underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery (OS) with or without maxillary segmentation or additional genioplasty. The patients were blindly randomized to treatment with TXA or placebo. The primary predictor variable was OS. The secondary predictor variable was an intravenous dose of 1 g of TXA or equivalent placebo preoperatively. Blood samples were collected before surgery and 5 hours after the initiation of surgery. The primary outcome variable was lysis of fibrin. The fibrin structure properties and D-dimer were secondary outcome measures. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for the within-group comparisons. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for the between-group comparisons.

RESULTS

The sample included 96 patients; 45 received placebo and 51 received TXA. Fibrin lysis decreased after OS (P < .001). The fibrinolytic shutdown decreased significantly more in the TXA group than in the placebo group (P < .001). OS altered the fibrin structure properties with comparable effects in the 2 groups. D-dimer increased postoperatively but significantly less so in the TXA group than in the control group (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

OS is associated with fibrinolytic shutdown and alters fibrin structure properties, driving the hemostatic balance in a prothrombotic direction. The fibrinolytic shutdown is significantly amplified by TXA.

Combined use of intravenous and topical tranexamic acid in patients aged over 70 years old undergoing total hip arthroplasty

Purpose

The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined use of intravenous (IV) TXA administration and topical intraarticular tranexamic acid (TXA) strategy in patients aged over 70 undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods

One hundred eighty patients were randomized into three groups, including an IV group, a local group, and a combined group. Patients were administrated with 15 mg/kg of IV-TXA in the IV group, 2 g TXA in the topical group, or 15 mg/kg IV-TXA combined with 2 g TXA in the combined group. Total blood loss (TBL), maximum hemoglobin drop, the transfusion rate and the number of allogeneic blood units, and the incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE) were recorded and analyzed.

Results

TBL was 757.75 ± 188.95 mL in the combined group, which was significantly lower than in the IV group (892.75 ± 218.47) or the topical group (1015.75 ± 288.71) (p = 0.015, p = 0.001 respectively). The mean values of maximum hemoglobin drop in the combined, IV, and topical groups were 2.67 ± 0.42, 3.28 ± 0.52, and 3.75 ± 0.62 g/dL, respectively, with a significant intergroup difference (p < 0.001 for all). PE was not detected within 1 month after the surgery. Asymptomatic DVT was reported in 1 patient of the IV group, and in 2 patients from the combined group, while the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Compared to intravenous or topical use of TXA, the combined therapy effectively decreased total blood loss and reduced the transfusion rate, simultaneously possessed the same degree of safety in primary THA patients aged over 70.

Editorial Commentary: Tranexamic Acid: Okay, It Reduces the Bleeding, but Are We Sure Topical Use Is Not Harmful to the Cartilage?

Numerous studies have estimated the role of hemarthrosis and intra-articular drains in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive procedures. Long-standing hemarthrosis and related pain can disrupt rehabilitation and lead to arthrofibrosis. A significant number of orthopaedic surgeons use intra-articular suction drains following arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. Hemarthrosis and pain have undesirable effects on the functional outcomes of ACL reconstruction in the early postoperative period.