Intravenous tranexamic acid has benefit for reducing blood loss after open-wedge high tibial osteotomy: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

(1) Background: the purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients undergoing medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO). (2) Methods: a total of 73 patients were randomly allocated into two groups (TXA group and control group). The primary outcome was total perioperative calculated blood loss after MOWHTO. Secondary outcomes included self-reported pain severity using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS) and the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) questionnaire. The postoperative allogeneic transfusion rate and wound complications were compared. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) incidence was compared by conducting DVT computed tomography imaging. (3) Results: the total blood loss after surgery was 470.9 mL in the TXA group and 739.3 mL in the control group, showing a significant difference (p < 0.001). There were no differences in pain VAS scores between the two groups (all p > 0.05). No difference in preoperative EQ-5D scores for any items existed between the two groups. No transfusion was performed in either group. There was no difference in DVT incidence or the rate of wound complications between the two groups. (4) Conclusion: in patients undergoing MOWHTO, IV TXA reduces total blood loss and drainage amount. However, no additional benefits in clinical outcomes, transfusion rate, or wound complications were apparent, with similar DVT incidence rates.