The Efficacy and Safety of Epsilon-Aminocaproic Acid for Perioperative Blood Management in Spinal Fusion Surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nPerioperative blood loss is a major concern in spinal fusion surgery, which often requires blood transfusion. A large amount of perioperative blood loss might increase the risks of various perioperative complications. Recently, there has been a series of clinical studies focusing on the perioperative administration of epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) in spinal fusion surgery. The aim of this review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EACA in spinal fusion surgery.\n\n\nMETHODS\nWe systematically searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) up to April 2021. The perioperative blood loss, blood transfusion and complication data were extracted and analysed by RevMan Manager 5.3.\n\n\nRESULTS\nFinally, six randomized controlled studies, involving 398 patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery, were enrolled in this systematic review. Compared with the blank control group, the EACA group had significantly lower total perioperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, postoperative hemoglobin, postoperative blood transfusion units, total blood transfusion units, and postoperative red blood cell transfusion units. Additionally, no significant differences were observed between the EACA group and control group in intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion units, intraoperative crystalloid administered, hospital stays, operative time, perioperative respiratory complications, and wound bleeding.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nEACA in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery is effective in perioperative hemostasis without increasing the incidence of postoperative complications. However, the long-term adverse side of EACA in spinal fusion surgery still need more large-scale trials.