Effect of Topical Use of Tranexamic Acid in Patients With Thoracolumbar Fracture Undergoing Posterior Spinal Fixation and Fusion

Abstract

Thoracic and lumbar spine trauma (TLST) is frequently associated with chest and abdominal injuries. Multilevel spinal fusions require a longer operative time, with significant soft tissue stripping as well as blood loss, which frequently leads to allogenic blood transfusion. Topical TXA might enhance patient safety, reducing excessive postoperative bleeding. To evaluate effect of topically applied 1 g TXA on postoperative whole blood transfusion and blood loss in neurologically intact patients with thoracolumbar spine fracture. A clinical prospective randomized study is done on 30 patients with thoracolumbar fracture, undergoing primary posterior instrumented fixation and fusion. Patients were randomized to 2 groups, first group (15 patients) was injected with saline only and second group (15 patients) was injected with mixture of tranexamic acid and saline. Patients were operated under general anesthesia, using a standard midline incision. Wounds are closed in layers over a 16 gauge suction drain; injection cocktail was delivered retrograde into the drain which was then closed for 2 hours. There was a highly significant decrease in blood loss in Group 2. The decrease in Hb level is less in the 2 nd group than in the 1 st group, indicating less postoperative anemia in the blood count (highly significant). Use of topically administered 1 g of TXA (20 mL) in thoracic and lumbar spinal trauma cases undergoing posterior instrumented fixation and fusion effectively decreased postoperative transfusion requirements. Treatment also reduced total drainage volume, time until drain removal, and length of postoperative hospital stay.