Results after the application of tranexamic acid intravenous or intra-articular in the control of postsurgical bleeding after total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction A frequent complication after total hip arthroplasty is bleeding; to reduce it, intravenous or intra-articular tranexamic acid (TXA) is used. There is no evidence yet on which route of administration is better. Materials and method This was a prospective, controlled, randomized study in 2 arms between February 2017 and February 2019. In group A, 15 mg/kg intravenous TXA was administered and in group B 2 g intra-articular TXA. Haemoglobin and haematocrit values were evaluated at 24-72 h, also volume of drained blood, volume of blood lost, transfusions and complications. Results A total of 195 patients were included: 110 in group A and 85 group B. Haemoglobin dropped 3.10±1.32 g/dl in 24 h and 3.63±1.41 g/dl at 72 h in group A; the haematocrit dropped 8.38±4.67% in 24 h and 15.40±4.39% in 72 h. In group B, haemoglobin dropped 3.09±1.40 g/dl in 24 h and 3.34±1.23 g/dl in 72 h and haematocrit 9.75±3.95% and 10.40±3.72% in 24 and 72 h. No signifcant diferences were found for haemoglobin values at 24 and 72 h and haematocrit at 24 h (p>0.05); we did not obtain statistically signifcant diferences in drainage, blood loss between groups or in the proportion of trans fused. When stratifying the results by age, we obtained signifcant diferences in the decrease in haemoglobin (p=0.021) and haematocrit (p=0.025) in patients>65 years. Conclusions The diferent routes of administration of TXA in PTC have a similar efect in reducing post-operative bleeding without evidencing an increase in complications. Level of evidence I. Keywords Tranexamic acid · Intravenous route · Intra-articular route · Total hip arthroplasty · Transfusion