The effect of tranexamic acid injection during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery on postoperative bleeding, pain and swelling

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common surgery in orthopedics. Strategies that could reduce the bleeding during the surgery could be helpful. Here, we aimed to assess the effects of tranexamic acid injection in ACL reconstruction on patient's functions. METHODS: This is a clinical trial performed in 2019-2020 in XX on 61 patients with teared ACL who were candidates of surgical reconstruction. Patients were divided into two groups receiving 15 mg/kg of intravenous tranexamic acid and normal saline. Data regarding the following items were collected: amounts of drain discharge, the severity of the swelling, the pain severity in 1, 7 and 14 days after the surgeries and restrictions in joint range of motion (ROM) in 30 and 60 days after the surgeries. RESULTS: We observed significantly lower swelling severities in patients who received tranexamic acid in different measuring times (P = 0.029). These cases also had significantly lower pain severity after 30 days post-operation (P = 0.041). We also observed that patients in the tranexamic acid group had significantly lower ROM restriction than controls (P < 0.001). The total knee scores were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Administration of intravenous tranexamic acid significantly improved swelling, pain and lower ROM restriction in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.