Has Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty Made Tourniquet Use Obsolete?

ABSTRACT: The application of tranexamic acid (TXA) in total joint arthroplasty has dramatically improved peri-operative blood management. In light of these benefits, a study by Huang et al., "Intravenous and Topical Tranexamic Acid Alone Are Superior to Tourniquet Use for Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty," evaluates the need for continued use of the intra-operative tourniquet, which remains a routine practice with documented benefits and adverse effects. This review evaluates the study's design and critically interprets its findings for clinical practice. Through a prospective, randomized trial, Huang et al. demonstrated that among selected patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty, the use of a tourniquet results in no reduction in blood loss beyond that provided by TXA alone. Moreover, th

SUBMITTER: Brusalis CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6148574 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature