Effects of repeated intravenous doses of tranexamic acid on closed tibial fracture healing: Experimental study based on the rat model

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of tranexamic acid on fracture healing in the rat tibia closed fracture model. Methods: Sixty-four male Sprague–Dawley rats were included in this study, where closed fracture and intramedullary nailing were performed on their right tibial diaphyses. They were divided into 2 main groups, the experimental group, which was given weekly tranexamic acid injections, and the control group, which received no additional treatment. Eight rats from each group were sacrificed and evaluated for fracture healing at the first experimental group and control group, second experimental group and control group, third experimental group and control group, and fourth experimental group and control group weeks. Fracture healing was radiologically assessed according to the “Spencer Index” and “Lane and Sandhu Scoring System,” and histologically evaluated according to the scoring system devised by Huo et al. Results: According to the Spencer Index, the mean union score was statistically significantly higher in the E3 group than in the third control group (P =.014). Furthermore, the mean union score was statistically significantly higher in the fourth experimental group compared to the fourth control group (P =.047). According to the Lane and Sandhu Scoring System, only the mean union scores of the E3-4 groups were statistically significantly higher than the mean union scores of the C3-4 groups (P =.048). There was no histological difference between groups in terms of union, according to the criteria defined by Huo et al (P >.05). Conclusion: This study showed us that repeated intravenous administrations of tranexamic acid had no negative effect on fracture healing in the rat tibia fracture model. Although tranexamic acid demonstrated better radiological healing in the late period, it had no effect on histological union.