To study the efficacy of topical intraarticular vs intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing blood loss following primary total knee replacement (TKR).

A phase 3, single center, double blind and randomized controlled study was conducted in the Department of Orthopedics, Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. A prospective study of 100 patients lasted from July 2013 to July 2015.

Postoperative transfusion rates were zero in both the groups (intraarticular and intravenous). The mean 48-hour drain collected is 285.6 ml in group A (intraarticular), while it is 325.8 ml in group B (intravenous); the mean drop in hemoglobin is 1.7 gm/dl in group A (intraarticular) while it is 2.4 gm/dl in group B (intravenous).

This study shows that topical intraarticular administration of TXA has better efficacy than intravenous TXA in controlling postoperative blood loss following primary uncomplicated TKR with no significant complications.

Vijay A, Nageswaran J, Loganathan S, Bedford SC. Intraarticular vs Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Reduction of Blood Loss in Primary Total Knee Replacement. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(2):64-68.