Comparison of Intra-Articular versus Intravenous Application of Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Randomized Study

Abstract

Background: Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is widely used in clinical applications. Considerable postoperative blood loss, however, is an unavoidable occurrence due to the extensive soft-tissue release, and the large area of cancellous bone osteotomy associated with the procedure. Besides, knee flexion and extension activities those begin the day after the operation adds to the problem. Aim of the Work: To compare between the intra-articular and the intravenous application of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) in total knee arthroplasty. Patients and Methods: It is a prospective Double-blinded Randomized controlled trial. This prospective study was conducted at El-Hussein University Hospital & El Agouza Hospital on 30 patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty and fulfill all inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The results were the average total blood loss in the drain after 48hrs. In the 1st group was 365±74.722 while average blood loss in the 2nd group was 575±88.976. This indicates a significant decrease in blood loss in the 1st group (intraarticular TXA group) than the 2nd group (intravenous TXA group) the P value <0.001 which is highly significant. It was found that The decrease in Hb level is less in the 1st group than in the 2nd group which indicates less postoperative anemia in the blood count, the P-value <0.05 considered significant.