Outcomes of Multimodal Cocktail vs Tranexamic Acid on Post Operative Pain and Blood Loss in Total Knee Replacement Patients: a Prospective Randomized Study

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and a leading cause of disability. Total knee replacement (TKR) is one of the most effective surgical procedures, providing improvement in function and relief of pain for the majority of patients. Intra-articular tranexamic acid [TXA] and multimodal cocktail (mixture of ketorolac, tramadol and bupivacaine) are commonly used drugs which help to reduce postoperative bleeding and pain respectively, improving outcome of surgery.
 Objective: To compare the postoperative blood loss and pain with or without Intra-articular tranexamic acid and multimodal cocktail respectively in patients undergoing total knee replacement
 Material and Methods: A total of 96 patients of either gender presenting to Orthopaedics department of Government Medical College, Amritsar, with knee osteoarthritis and planned to undergo total knee replacement were enrolled. Patients were divided into 3 groups. Group A being the control group was not given tranexamic acid [TXA] but only standard drugs for anesthesia. Group B patients were given 3gm intra-articular injection of tranexamic acid. Group C patients were given a multimodal cocktail (mixture of ketorolac, tramadol and bupivacaine. TKR was done and patients were followed-up for 72 hours. Blood loss and pain score after every 24 hours for 72 hours were noted. Intra-articular injections were given just before wound closure.
 Results: The mean age of patients in control group was 48.92±13.22years, in TXA group was 52.31±14.69 years and in cocktail group was 50.22±9.63years. The male to female ratio was 11:21, 14:18 and 10:22 in three groups respectively. The total blood loss during first 72 hours was 1030.1±177.27ml in control group, 453.7±80.4ml in TXA group while 607.7±122.5ml in cocktail group. The difference was significant in all three groups and also between TXA and cocktail group (p<0.05). The mean postoperative pain score during first 72 hours was 4.4±2.3in control group, 2.4±1.5 in TXA group while 1.8±1.0in cocktail group. The difference was significant in all three groups (p<0.05) but insignificant between TXA and cocktail group (p>0.05).
 Conclusion: Results showed that intra-articular injection of TXA is beneficial in reducing blood loss and postoperative pain in comparison to control group. While pain was better controlled with the multimodal cocktail compared to TXA group and control group.
 Keywords: Post-operative blood loss, Intra-articular injection, tranexamic acid, cocktail, total knee replacement