The Efficacy and Safety of Fibrin Sealant Versus Tranexamic Acid Administration in Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroplasty: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

PurposeThe efficacy and safety of topical fibrin sealant (FS) compared with tranexamic acid (TXA) to reduce blood loss after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is not clear. A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical FS versus topical or intravenous TXA for treatment of primary THA.MethodWe searched electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies up to March 2020. The references included in articles were also checked for additional potentially-relevant studies. The language of publication was limited to English. The endpoints included the mean difference (MD) of blood loss, hemoglobin value, and odds ratios (ORs) of transfusion requirements and thrombotic events. Our meta-analysis was performed according to the Guidelines of the Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook and the PRISMA statement. The data of the included studies were analyzed using RevMan 5.3.ResultsA total of four studies (two randomized controlled trials and two non-randomized controlled trials) met the inclusion criteria. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that TXA administration led to significantly different outcomes in terms of transfusion rate (RD = -0.12, 95% CI (-0.23, -0.00), P = 0.05, I2 = 74%) and postoperative hemoglobin levels (WMD = -0.47, 95% CI (-0.74, -021), P = 0.0005, I2 = 3%) compared with topical application of FS in patients undergoing THA. No significant difference was seen in total calculated blood loss (WMD = -86.22, 95% CI (-99.13, -73.31), P < 0.00001, I2 = 96%) or complication rate (RR = 0.98, 95% CI (-99.13, -73.31), P = 0.45, I2 = 0%) between the two groups.ConclusionsTXA administration can effectively decrease the transfusion rate and result in higher postoperative hemoglobin levels without increasing the rate of infection.