A Systematic Review of the Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Facelift Surgery

Minimizing Blood Loss Using Tranexamic Acid in Patients Undergoing Liposuction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Liposuction has become the most sought-after aesthetic surgery across the globe, increasing the demand for more developments in patient safety protocols. Evidence of the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) in reducing intraoperative blood loss with minimal complications have led to its widespread applications across various surgical operations. However, the role and effectiveness of TXA in liposuction is not fully understood. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the effectiveness of TXA in minimizing intraoperative blood loss in patients undergoing liposuction.

METHODS

In adherence to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in multiple databases including, PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included without time frame limitations. Our primary outcomes were hemoglobin levels, hematocrit levels, lipoaspirate volume, and associated complications.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive analysis of five RCTs published between 2021-2023, involving 334 patients. The pooled mean difference for postoperative hemoglobin levels was statistically significant in favor of local TXA administration (MD 0.54; P = 0.03; I2 = 0%). Analysis of postoperative hematocrit levels (g/dL) and lipoaspirate volume (L) mean differences were statistically insignificant (MD 0.76; P = 0.35; I2 = 0%) and (MD 0.19; P = 0.82; I2 = 85%) respectively. No complications related to the use of TXA occurred.

CONCLUSION

Although a statistically significant difference was seen in postoperative hemoglobin levels, it is imperative that the results are interpreted with caution, given the preliminary nature of the observed effect. Further large well-designed RCTs are required to solidify current TXA protocols and to provide comprehensive guidelines for its application in liposuction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors   www.springer.com/00266 .

Tranexamic Acid Application in Facial Aesthetic Surgery: An Umbrella Review

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent that is considered as one of the latest interventions currently being investigated in the field of facial aesthetic surgeries, as it is predicted to be effective in reducing intraoperative and postoperative complications of facial aesthetic surgeries. This review focuses on giving readers a comprehensive overview regarding the use of TXA in facial aesthetic surgeries. In this umbrella review, data were extracted from existing systematic reviews and meta-analysis that focused on the use of TXA in facial aesthetic surgeries. The authors searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. The data were extracted using a standard format, and the AMSTAR-2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews) tool was used to assess the quality of the included reviews. In total, this study included 14 systematic reviews and meta-analyses all of which evaluated the effect of TXA on facial aesthetic surgeries, which included rhinoplasty, septorhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, and blepharoplasty. The majority of the included studies focused on reporting the effect of TXA on blood loss volume (BLV) and duration of surgery (DOS) as well as other postoperative complications. Eleven out of the 12 studies that focused on rhinoplasty showed that TXA used reduced BLV. In addition, in 8 studies that were focusing on DOS, the majority showed a reduction in DOS with TXA use. While in the case of septorhinoplasty, 3 studies revealed that TXA use decreased BLV. Moreover, in the case of rhytidectomy, 3 out of 6 systematic reviews showed reduction in BLV, while 2 reported reductions in DOS. Finally, the authors conclude that the use of TXA is indeed efficient in reducing BLV and DOS, in addition to some of the complications that can occur during or after facial aesthetic surgeries. However, in order to reach a final decision on the implication of the use of TXA in facial aesthetic surgeries, further studies should be established using a standardized protocol in assessing the desired outcomes.

The Use of Tranexamic Acid in Breast Reduction and Abdominoplasty: A Review of a Multicenter Federated Electronic Health Record Database

Background

Tranexamic acid (TXA), a fibrinolysis inhibitor, is widely used in various surgical fields to minimize blood loss. However, its efficacy and safety in plastic surgery, especially in reduction mammaplasty and abdominoplasty, remain underexplored. This study investigates the utility of intravenous (IV) TXA in these procedures, focusing on reducing postoperative complications and evaluating its safety in the context of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TXA in reduction mammaplasty and abdominoplasty.

Methods

Using data from the TriNetX LLC (Cambridge, MA) National Health Research Network database, this retrospective study compared adult patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty or abdominoplasty who received intraoperative IV TXA against those who did not. Primary outcomes included postoperative seroma and hematoma incidences, whereas secondary outcomes assessed the necessity for procedural drainage and the occurrence of VTE within 1-year postsurgery.

Results

No significant differences in the rates or risks of hematoma, seroma, or the need for procedural drainage between patients administered IV TXA and those who were not, for both reduction mammaplasty and abdominoplasty. Additionally, IV TXA did not increase the risk of VTE in either patient group.

Conclusions

IV TXA application in reduction mammaplasty and abdominoplasty does not provide added benefits in reducing postoperative complications such as seroma, hematoma, or the necessity for procedural drainage. Furthermore, it does not alter the risk of thromboembolic events. These findings highlight the need for further research, particularly through randomized control trials, to understand TXA's efficacy in plastic surgery.

Level of Evidence 3 Therapeutic

Tranexamic Acid in Patients Undergoing Rhinoplasty: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular aesthetic plastic surgeries worldwide. The effects of tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients undergoing rhinoplasty are still being studied to guide a better management.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) analyzing the effects of TXA in patients undergoing rhinoplasty. The outcomes evaluated were blood loss, postoperative edema, postoperative ecchymosis, surgery duration and surgeon satisfaction.

RESULTS

Eleven studies comprising 841 patients were included. Overall, TXA reduced total blood loss regardless of dose and administration route (MD = - 39.37 mL; 95% CI = - 62.70 to - 16.05 mL; p = 0.0009; I2 = 92%), using intravenous 10 mg/kg of TXA preoperatively (MD = - 16.30 mL; 95% CI = - 29.49 to - 2.57 mL; p = 0.02; I2 = 61%) and using 1 g of oral TXA preoperatively (MD = - 61.70 mL; 95% CI = - 83.02 to - 40.39 mL; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0%). TXA also decreased edema (MD = - 0.78; 95% CI = - 1.28 to - 0.27 points; p = 0.003; I2 = 80%) and ecchymosis (MD = - 1.13; 95% CI = - 1.99 to -0.28; p = 0.01; I2 = 93%) on postoperative day one (POD 1). Surgeon satisfaction was increased (SMD = 1.55; 95% CI = 0.33 to 2.77; p = 0.01; I2 = 95%). However, there was no difference in surgery duration (SMD = - 0.26; 95% CI = - 0.56 to 0.04; p = 0.09; I2 = 36%).

CONCLUSION

This study found a significant reduction in blood loss, periorbital edema and periorbital ecchymosis, along with an improvement in surgeon satisfaction. These results hold the potential to optimize the rhinoplasty management by plastic surgeons.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Safety and Outcomes in Multiplane Facial Rejuvenation with Tranexamic Acid: A Cohort Study

Background

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has demonstrated promising outcomes in plastic surgery. Our aim was to assess the effect of TXA in intraoperative bleeding, operative time, and complications among patients undergoing facial surgical procedures.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent multiplane facial rhytidectomy from January 2018 to September 2022 at the Clinica Ziegler, Lima, Peru. Patients were divided into two groups according to the use of intravenous plus local infiltration of TXA. We performed the chi square test to assess associations among categorical variables, the Student t test and Mann-Whitney U test for categorical with continuous variables, and Pearson correlation for quantitative variables.

Results

A total of 100 patients were included with 50 patients in each group. The median age was 59.5 years and the majority were women (88%). The median operative time was 288.5 minutes. The TXA group presented less intraoperative bleeding (40 versus 90 mL, P < 0.05) and shorter operative time (237 versus 353 minutes, P < 0.05); no differences in the development of hematoma (2% versus 12%, P = 0.11), less ecchymosis (2% versus 36%, P < 0.05), edema (2% versus 100%, P < 0.05), and time to drain removal (3 versus 6 days, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

TXA improves the short- and long-term outcomes of patients who undergo multiplane facial rhytidectomy. It also decreases intraoperative bleeding by more than half and reduces the operative time by one third. Moreover, patients receiving TXA presented significantly less ecchymosis, edema, and time to drain removal.