DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2014.v02i02.029

Pages: 615-619

A Prospective study of 140 patients was done in Sri Ramachandra medical centre from June 2011 to June 2013. The inclusion criteria were patients undergoing THR or TKR with Hb>10 and coagulation profile within normal limits. Out of 140 patients 50 underwent total hip replacements and 90 underwent total knee replacements. Patients were divided into two groups study and control groups. 1 gram of tranexamic acid ii 200 ml of saline is given 20 minutes before release of tourniquet in TKR or 20 minutes before skin incision in THR. Second dose and third dose were given at 3hrs and 6 hrs after the initial dose , irrespective of timing of surgery. Intra op blood loss was calculated by two methods, one was from haematocrit values and other was by observation of mops, drain and field loss. The average intra op blood loss in patients underwent total knee replacement in study group was 627.71 ml and in control group was 726.98 ml. The average intra op blood loss in patients underwent total hip replacement in study group was 596.48 ml and in control group was 871.64 ml. From our study it is evident that Tranexamic acid, given intravenously at the beginning of the operation, was an efficient and cost-effective way to reduce blood loss in total hip and knee replacement surgeries. Tranexamic acid also significantly reduces the need for allogeneic blood transfusions.