Influence of intra-articular tranexamic acid on cost savings and early functional outcomes in total knee arthroplasty

• Published in: Revista española de cirugía ortopédica y traumatología 2021-07, Vol.65 (4), p.285-293
• Main Authors: Urgel Granados, A.C., Torres Campos, A., Royo Agustín, M., Rillo Lázaro, A., Espallargas Donate, M.T., Castro Sauras, Á.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artroplastia total rodilla; Costes; Costs; Functional outcomes; Intra-articular; Intraarticular; Resultados funcionales; Total knee arthroplasty; Tranexamic acid; Ácido tranexámico
• ISSN: 1988-8856; 1988-8856
• DOI: 10.1016/j.recote.2021.04.010

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a frequent intervention that can associate significant blood loss. There are several methods to avoid transfusions. One of the most relevant is tranexamic acid (TXA). Our purpose is to analyse the efficacy in terms of blood savings, transfusion needs, functional results, and cost-effectiveness of intra-articular (IA) administration in TKA. We conducted a retrospective analysis of historical cohorts (75 patients each) between January 2015 and December 2016. We included 150 patients (59,3% women) with a mean age of 73,58 years. The intervention consisted of administering 2 g of IA TXA with a contact time of 30 min. Demographic data, preoperative haematological status, surgery data, estimated total blood loss (ETBL), need for transfusion, functional results, and cost analysis were collected. The level of statistical significance was p ≤ 0,05. The incidence of transfusion was 17,33% in the control group and 5,33% in the TXA group (p = 0,039), with a relative risk reduction of 78,3%. The TXA cohort showed a reduction in ETBL (p