The Perioperative Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Evaluation of the use of tranexamic acid in the postoperative period in patients with scoliosis undergoing posterior fusion

Scoliosis is the most prevalent type of spinal deformity, with a 2-3% prevalence in the general population. Moreover, surgery for scoliotic deformity may result in severe blood loss and, consequently, the need for blood transfusions, thereby increasing surgical morbidity and the rate of complications. Several antifibrinolytic drugs, such as tranexamic acid, have been regarded as safe and effective options for reducing blood loss. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyse the effectiveness of this drug for controlling bleeding when used intraoperatively and in the first 48 h after surgery. A prospective randomized study of a cohort of patients included in a mass event for scoliosis treatment using PSF was performed. Twenty-eight patients were analysed and divided into two groups: 14 patients were selected for intraoperative and postoperative use of tranexamic acid (TXA), and the other 14 were selected only during the intraoperative period. The drainage bleeding rate, length of hospital stay, number of transfused blood units, and rate of adverse clinical effects were compared. All the patients involved had similar numbers of fusion levels addressed and similar scoliosis profiles. The postoperative bleeding rate through the drain did not significantly differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the number of transfused blood units between the groups (p = 0.473); however, in absolute numbers, patients in the control group received more transfusions. The length of hospital stay was fairly similar between the groups, with no statistically significant difference. Furthermore, the groups had similar adverse effects (p = 0.440), with the exception of nausea and vomiting, which were twice as common in the TXA group postoperatively than in the control group. No significant differences were found in the use of TXA during the first 48 postoperative hours or in postoperative outcomes.

The cost-utility of intraoperative tranexamic acid in adult spinal deformity patients undergoing long posterior spinal fusion

PURPOSE

This study aims to evaluate the cost-utility of intraoperative tranexamic acid (TXA) in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients undergoing long posterior (≥ 5 vertebral levels) spinal fusion.

METHODS

A decision-analysis model was built for a hypothetical 60-year-old adult patient with spinal deformity undergoing long posterior spinal fusion. A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to obtain event probabilities, costs and health utilities at each node. Health utilities were utilized to calculate Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). A base-case analysis was carried out to obtain the incremental cost and effectiveness of intraoperative TXA. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate uncertainty in our model and obtain mean incremental costs, effectiveness, and net monetary benefits. One-way sensitivity analyses were also performed to identify the variables with the most impact on our model.

RESULTS

Use of intraoperative TXA was the favored strategy in 88% of the iterations. The mean incremental utility ratio for using intraoperative TXA demonstrated higher benefit and lower cost while being lower than the willingness-to-pay threshold set at $50,000 per quality adjusted life years. Use of intraoperative TXA was associated with a mean incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) of $3743 (95% CI 3492-3995). One-way sensitivity analysis reported cost of blood transfusions due to post-operative anemia to be a major driver of cost-utility analysis.

CONCLUSION

Use of intraoperative TXAs is a cost-effective strategy to reduce overall perioperative costs related to post-operative blood transfusions. Administration of intraoperative TXA should be considered for long fusions in ASD population when not explicitly contra-indicated due to patient factors.

Post-operative tranexamic acid decreases chest tube drainage following vertebral body tethering surgery for scoliosis correction

PURPOSE

Anterior vertebral body tethering (VBT) is a non-fusion surgical treatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis requiring chest tube(s) (CT). We sought to assess the efficacy of post-op intravenous tranexamic acid (IV TXA) in reducing CT drainage and retention.

METHODS

35 VBT patients received 24 h of post-op IV TXA (2 mg/kg/h) were compared to 49 who did not. Group comparisons were performed using Wilcoxon rank-sum and chi-squared tests. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to assess the relationships between TXA and both CT drainage and retention time.

RESULTS

There were no group differences at baseline (Table). CTs placed for thoracic (T) and thoracolumbar (TL) curves were assessed separately. For TH CT, there was less total CT drainage in the TXA group (TXA 569.4 ± 337.4 mL vs. Non-TXA 782.5 ± 338.9 mL; p = 0.003) and shorter CT retention time (TXA 3.0 ± 1.3 vs. Non-TXA 3.9 ± 1.4 days; p = 0.003). For TL CT, there was less total CT drainage in the TXA group (TXA 206.8 ± 152.2 mL vs. Non-TXA 395.7 ± 196.1 mL; p = 0.003) and shorter CT retention time (TXA 1.7 ± 1.3 vs. Non-TXA 2.7 ± 1.0 days; p = 0.001). Following multivariate analysis, use of TXA was the only significant predictor of both drainage in T and TL CTs (p = 0.012 and p = 0.002, respectively) as well as T and TL CT retention time (p = 0.008 and p = 0.009, respectively). There were no differences in LOS (p = 0.863) or ICU stay (p = 0.290).

CONCLUSION

IV TXA results in a significant decrease in CT drainage and retention time. CT retention is decreased by 1 day for those that receive TXA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Topical tranexemic acid reduces intra-operative blood loss and transfusion requirements in spinal deformity correction in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of the use of topical tranexamic acid (tTXA) in spinal deformity correction in AIS patients METHODS: Sixty consecutive operative AIS patients were reviewed from a single institution and divided into two groups with similar demographics. Standardized peri-operative blood salvage techniques were utilized in all 60 patients. In the latter 30 patients, tTXA soaked sponges (1 g mixed in 500 ml Normal Saline) was utilised for wound packing during the entire surgical procedure compared to dry sponges as used in the former 30 patients. Both the groups were compared for the magnitude of deformity corrected, EBL per level fused, total EBL, blood transfused, drain output and peri-operative events.

RESULTS

Sixty AIS patients (mean age 14.4 yrs, 43 females, mean BMI 21.5, mean levels 10.7) were included. Both groups achieved similar change in Coronal Cobb correction. The EBVL (Estimated blood volume loss) % lost in the topical TXA group was 38% less than the control group (11.2 vs. 18.3%, p = 0.006). Similarly, the EBL/level was significantly lower in the topical TXA group (41 ± 30 ml vs. 57 ± 26 ml, p = 0.03). Three of 30 patients in the control group required at least 1 unit of blood transfusion, whereas only 1 patient in the topical TXA group required transfusion (10 vs. 3.3%, p = 0.001). No differences were noted in post-operative drain output, change in hemoglobin levels, and peri-operative complication rates.

CONCLUSION

When used as an adjunct to the conventional blood salvage techniques in spinal deformity correction procedures, the use of tTXA resulted in reduced operative blood loss, and blood transfusion requirements.

The effect of multiple-dose oral versus intravenous tranexamic acid in reducing postoperative blood loss and transfusion rate after adolescent scoliosis surgery: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is widely used in surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and has been proved to be efficacious in reducing intraoperative blood loss (IBL) and the transfusion rate. However, the routine TXA regimen was intraoperative administration alone, in which the concentration of TXA could not cover the whole process of hyperfibrinolysis. And, its ability to control the massive postoperative blood loss (PBL) may be insufficient. Thus, we promoted a multiple-dose regimen of TXA for patients with AIS who underwent surgical correction.

PURPOSE

The primary aims were (1) to determine whether the multiple-dose regimen of TXA could reduce PBL and the postoperative transfusion rate, and (2) to compare the efficacy of oral administration with intravenous administration. The secondary aims were (3) to evaluate whether this regimen could alleviate inflammatory response, and (4) to assess the occurrence of drug-related side effects.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

PATIENT SAMPLE

A total of 108 patients with AIS who underwent posterior scoliosis correction and spinal fusion (PSS) were enrolled in this study.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary parameters were PBL and postoperative transfusion rate. Other parameters such as total blood loss (TBL), maximum hemoglobin (Hb) decrease, volume of drainage, inflammation markers (interleukin-6 [IL-6] and C-reactive protein [CRP]), and occurrence of complications were also collected and compared. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the variables that affected PBL.

METHODS

Patients were randomized into three groups. All patients received intravenous TXA 50 mg/kg loading dose and 10 mg/kg/h maintenance dose during surgery. Group A received 1 g oral TXA at 4 hours, 10 hours, and 16 hours postoperatively; group B received 0.5 g intravenous TXA at 6 hours, 12 hours, and 18 hours postoperatively; group C received placebo.

RESULTS

The mean PBL and postoperative transfusion rate in group A (957.8±378.9 mL, 13.89%) and B (980.3±491.8 mL, 11.11%) were significantly lower than those in group C [1,495.9±449.6 mL, mean differences=538.1 mL, 95% confidence interval (CI), 290.1-786.1 mL, p<0.001; 515.6 mL, 95% CI, 267.6-763.6 mL, p<.001]; (36.11%, p=.029, p=.013). Meanwhile, the mean TBL, maximum Hb decrease, and volume of drainage were also significantly lower in group A and B than in group C. IL-6 and CRP in group A and B were significantly lower than in group C from postoperative days 1 to 3. All these differences were not significant between groups A and B. No drug-related complications were observed in any patient. Multiple regression showed that the application of postoperative TXA and number of screws were significant parameters affecting PBL.

CONCLUSIONS

A multiple-dose regimen of TXA, either by oral or intravenous application, could be a safe and effective means of controlling PBL and decreasing the postoperative transfusion rate in patients with AIS who underwent scoliosis surgery. In addition, it could inhibit postoperative inflammatory response.

The efficacy and safety of high-dose tranexamic acid in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a meta-analysis

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of using high-dose intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) to reduce blood loss in idiopathic scoliosis surgery.

Methods

This study was a meta-analysis, which consisted of retrospective cohort studies (RCSs) and randomized control trials (RCTs) found by searching electronic databases, namely PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the Google Scholar Database, dating from 1960 to 2019. The points of interest included total blood loss, a need for transfusion and transfusion criteria, surgery time, and the evidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications, such as seizures or thromboembolic events. The weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of blood loss in the TXA intervention group compared to the control or placebo group were extracted and combined using the random effects model.

Results

In this meta-analysis, there was a total of three RCSs and two RCTs, which involved 334 patients. The results showed that blood loss is significantly reduced, with a weighted mean difference in the TXA group (WMD = − 525.14, P = 0.0000, CI ranged from − 839.83, − 210.44, I² = 82%). Heterogeneity was assessed using the random effects model.

Conclusions

A high dose of intravenous TXA reduced blood loss during adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery and did not lead to any significant thromboembolic event. Therefore, a high dose appears to be effective and safe for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery. However, more high-quality research based on larger randomized controlled trials is still needed.

Different Dose Regimens of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Adolescent Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different dose regimens of intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid (TXA) in adolescent spinal deformity surgery.

Methods

Two researchers independently searched multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to find studies that met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis was performed based on the guidelines of the Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook.

Results

Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and eleven non-RCTs were identified, including 1148 patients. According to different dose regimens of IV TXA, the included studies were divided into the high-dose group and the low-dose group. Compared with placebo, both groups had less total blood loss (TBL) (high dose: WMD = -1737.55, 95% CI: (-2247.16, -1227.94), P < 0.001, I ² = 0%; low dose: WMD = -528.67, 95% CI: (-666.06, -391.28), P < 0.001, I ² = 0%), intraoperative blood loss (IBL) (high dose: WMD = -301.48, 95% CI: (-524.3, -78.66), P = 0.008, I ² = 60.3%; low dose: WMD = -751.14, 95% CI: (-967.21, -535.08), P < 0.001, I ² = 0%), and blood transfusion rates (high dose: RR = 0.19, 95% CI: (0.1, 0.37), P < 0.001, I ² = 0%; low dose: RR = 0.4, 95% CI: (0.18, 0.91), P = 0.029, I ² = 57%). High-dose IV TXA use was associated with more vertebral fusion segments (WMD = 0.53, 95% CI: (0.23, 0.82), P < 0.001, I ² = 31.2%). Low-dose IV TXA use was associated with shorter operative time (WMD = -18.43, 95% CI: (-26.68, -10.17), P < 0.001, I ² = 0%).

Conclusion

High-dose and low-dose IV TXA were effective in reducing TBL, IBL, and blood transfusion rates without increasing complications in adolescent patients undergoing spinal deformity surgery. Low-dose IV TXA was effective in reducing the operative time. Both the high-dose and low-dose groups had similar preoperative and postoperative Hb levels compared to the control group.

[Progress on the application of tranexamic acid in adolescent spine corrective surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To review the advances in the application of tranexamic acid (TXA) in adolescent spinal corrective surgery.

METHODS

The mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic, effectiveness, dosage, safety as well as methods of administration were comprehensively summarized by consulting domestic and overseas related literature about the application of TXA in adolescent spinal corrective surgery in recent years.

RESULTS

TXA efficaciously reduce intraoperative blood loss, transfusion rate and volume, postoperative drainage volume in adolescent spinal corrective surgery. At present, the most common method of administration in adolescent spinal corrective surgery is that a loading dose is given intravenously before skin incision or induction of anesthesia, followed by a maintenance dose until the end of the surgery. The range of loading dose and maintenance dose is 10-100 mg/kg and 1-10 mg/(kg·h), respectively. No drug related adverse event has been reported in this range.

CONCLUSION

The effectiveness and safety of TXA in adolescent spinal surgery have been basically confirmed. However, further studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage, method of administration as well as whether it could reduce blood loss after surgery.

Cost-benefit analysis of tranexamic acid and blood transfusion in elective lumbar spine surgery for degenerative pathologies

OBJECTIVE

Blood transfusions are given to approximately one-fifth of patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery, and previous studies have shown that transfusions are accompanied by increased complications and additional costs. One method for decreasing transfusions is administration of tranexamic acid (TXA). The authors sought to evaluate whether the cost of TXA is offset by the decrease in blood utilization in lumbar spine surgery patients.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent elective lumbar or thoracolumbar surgery for degenerative conditions at a tertiary care center between 2016 and 2018. Patients who received intraoperative TXA (TXA patients) were matched with patients who did not receive TXA (non-TXA patients) by age, sex, BMI, ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) physical status class, and surgical invasiveness score. Primary endpoints were intraoperative blood loss, number of packed red blood cell (PRBC) units transfused, and total hemostasis costs, defined as the sum of TXA costs and blood transfusion costs throughout the hospital stay. A subanalysis was then performed by substratifying both cohorts into short-length (1-4 levels) and long-length (5-8 levels) spinal constructs.

RESULTS

Of the 1353 patients who met inclusion criteria, 68 TXA patients were matched to 68 non-TXA patients. Patients in the TXA group had significantly decreased mean intraoperative blood loss (1039 vs 1437 mL, p = 0.01). There were no differences between the patient groups in the total costs of blood transfusion and TXA (p = 0.5). When the 2 patient groups were substratified by length of construct, the long-length construct group showed a significant net cost savings of $328.69 per patient in the TXA group (p = 0.027). This result was attributable to the finding that patients undergoing long-length construct surgeries who were given TXA received a lower amount of PRBC units throughout their hospital stay (2.4 vs 4.0, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

TXA use was associated with decreased intraoperative blood loss and significant reductions in total hemostasis costs for patients undergoing surgery on more than 4 levels. Furthermore, the use of TXA in patients who received short constructs led to no additional net costs. With the increasing emphasis put on value-based care interventions, use of TXA may represent one mechanism for decreasing total care costs, particularly in the cases of larger spine constructs.