Optimal route for administering tranexamic acid in primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty: Results from a multicenter cohort study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of different tranexamic acid (TXA) routes following primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Methods: We collected data from the National Health Database on patients registered from January 2013 to September 2017. The patients were divided based on TXA administration route into a control group (without TXA), intravenous group, topical group and combined group. The primary outcome was transfusion; secondary outcomes were total blood loss, haemoglobin level, decrease in haemoglobin on postoperative day 3, and incidence of complications. Results: Data were collected on 7667 primary THA, 4662 with TXA and 3005 without TXA. The transfusion rate was 28.7% in the control group, 12.7% in the topical group, 8.9% in the intravenous group, and 6.1% in the combined group, and the inter-group differences were significant (P