Efficacy of preoperative administration of single high dose intravenous tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss in total knee arthroplasty: A prospective clinical study

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyse the effectiveness of single dose of 20 mg/kg intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA), in reducing the blood loss in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Material and method

70 patients (65.5 ± 8.1 years old) that have undergone TKA were divided in two groups. The 20 mg/kg IV TXA was given before the skin incision to one group (study group). On the control group, TKA was performed without TXA. The demographic data, body mass index, amount of bleeding and erythrocyte infusion during the operation, hemoglobin and hematocrit values (preoperative and 48th hour), the amount of drainage after the operation were compared between the groups.

Results

The total amount of bleeding in the study group was 634.03 ± 182.88 ml and 1166.42 ± 295.92 ml in the control group (p < 0.001). Perioperative bleeding was 252.01 ± 144.13 ml in the study group and 431.33 ± 209.10 ml in the control group (p = 0.018). The drainage after the operation was 311.11 ± 141.64 ml at the 24th hour in the study group, 640.74 ± 279.43 ml at the 24th hour in the control group (p < 0.001). The drainage after 24th hour was 97.96 ± 115.86 ml in the study group and 112.96 ± 64.43 ml in the control group (p = 0.584).

Conclusion

A high, single dose of TXA intravenously given to the patient prior to the TKA significantly reduces the bleeding during the operation and within the postoperative 24 h. There is no significant change in the bleeding amount after the 24th hour following the operation.

The effect of intravenous tranexamic acid on visual clarity during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid (TRX) use on visual clarity during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

METHODS

This prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was conducted in patients scheduled for an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. In total, 60 patients were randomly distributed into two groups: control (28 patients: 11 male, 17 female; mean age=53 years, age range=19-65) and TRX (32 patients: 15 male, 17 female; mean age=50, age range=18-69). In the TRX group, the arthroscopy was performed through the bolus IV administration of 10 mg/kg TRX in 100 ml isotonic saline solution. In the control group, the arthroscopy was performed through the bolus IV administration of 100 ml isotonic saline solution. In both the groups, the IV administration was carried out after the induction of anesthesia. At the end of each procedure, the surgeon rated the visual clarity on a scale from 1 to 10. In addition, operation time (minutes), irrigation amount used in operation (lt), and the need of pressure increase because of bleeding were recorded.

RESULTS

No adverse effects were seen during the study period. Visual clarity in TRX group was significantly better than the control group (the mean visual clarity scores=8.1/10 (range=7-10) vs 7/10 (range=5-9); p=0.018). The amount of solution was significantly less in the TRX group (10.2 lt (range=3.5-21)) than in the control group (15.8 lt (range=5.8-27); p=0.007, post-hoc power=95.7%), although the operation time was slightly longer in the TRX group (106 minutes (range=50-210)) than in the control group (99 minutes (range=45-165); p=0.24). Moreover, the need for the increase in pressure owing to bleeding was found significantly less in the TRX group (5.8 times (range=(0-9)) than in the control group (9.6 times (range=0-13); p=0.04, post-hoc power=94.5%).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative IV TRX administration seems to be effective in improving visual clarity and reducing the need for high pressure and the amount of irrigation fluid during the arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, Therapeutic study.

Critical Incident Reporting System in Teaching Hospitals in Turkey: A Survey Study

OBJECTIVE

Critical incident reporting systems (CIRS) and morbidity-mortality meetings (MMMs) offer the advantages of identifying potential risks in patients. They are key tools in improving patient safety in healthcare systems by modifying the attitudes of clinicians, nurses and staff (human error) and also the system (human and/or technical error) according to the analysis and the results of incidents.

METHODS

One anaesthetist assigned to an administrative and/or teaching position from all university hospitals (UHs) and training and research hospitals (TRHs) of Turkey (n=114) was contacted. In this survey study, we analysed the facilities of anaesthetists in Turkish UHs and TRHs with respect to CIRS and MMMs and also the anaesthetists' knowledge, experience and attitudes regarding CIs.

RESULTS

Anaesthetists from 81 of 114 teaching hospitals replied to our survey. Although 96.3% of anaesthetists indicated CI reporting as a necessity, only 37% of departments/hospitals were reported to have CIRS. True definition of CI as "an unexpected /accidental event" was achieved by 23.3% of anaesthetists with CIRS. MMMs were reported in 60.5% of hospitals. Nevertheless, 96% of anaesthetists believe that CIRS and MMMs decrease the incidence of CI occurring. CI occurrence was attributed to human error as 4 [1-5]/10 and 3 [1-5]/10 in UHs and TRHs, respectively (p=0.005). In both hospital types, technical errors were evaluated as 3 [1-5]/10 (p=0.498).

CONCLUSION

This first study regarding CIRS in the Turkish anaesthesia departments/hospitals highlights the lack of CI knowledge and CIRS awareness and use in anaesthesia departments/teaching hospitals in Turkey despite a safety reporting system set up by the Turkish Ministry of Health.

Postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic shoulder surgery: A comparison between single-shot interscalene block and single-shot supraclavicular block

OBJECTIVES

In arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery for postoperative analgesia opioids, nonsteroid analgesics, and local anesthetics can be used. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness, additional analgesic requirements, patients satisfaction, and complications of single-shot interscalene and supraclavicular blocks.

METHODS

After obtaining the ethics committee's approval and informed consent, 50 ASA I-II patients were randomized to either the interscalene (GISB) or supraclavicular (GSCB) group. Preoperatively, patients received an ultrasonography-guided block using 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine. In the postoperative period, morphine patient-controlled analgesia was administered as a 0.3-mg/h basal dose and 1-mg bolus dose, with a 20-min lockout time. Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS; 0-10 cm) scores of the patients were evaluated at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h postoperatively; additional analgesic requirements, adverse effects, and complications were recorded. Patient satisfaction (PS) scores were evaluated after 24 h.

RESULTS

VAS scores at 4 h were lower in the GSCB group than in the GISB group, and the VAS scores at 8, 12, and 24 h were lower in the GISB group than in the GSCB group, with no statistical significance. Additional analgesic requirements was 28% in the GISB group and 68% in the GSCB group (p < 0.05). Total morphine consumption was lower in the GISB group than in the GSCB group (18.95±9.2 mg vs. 30.6 ± 9.6 mg; p < 0.001). PS scores were higher in the GISB group than in the GSCB group (7.0±1.0 vs. 6.1±0.9; p < 0.01). Adverse effects and complication rates were similar in both the groups. In GISB group, seven patients (28%) had nausea/vomiting, whereas in the GSCB group, 12 patients (48%) had nausea/vomiting. This difference was statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSION

Supraclavicular block can be considered as an alternative to interscalene block for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.