Topical Administration of Tranexamic Acid Plus Diluted-Epinephrine in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Double-Blinded Controlled Trial

The aim of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intra-articular administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) plus diluted-epinephrine (DEP) on perioperative blood loss and transfusion in primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) without drainage. One hundred patients scheduled to undergo TKA were randomized into two groups: 50 patients received intra-articular 3 g TXA plus 0.25 mg DEP (1:200,000), and 50 patients received 3 g topical TXA alone. The results showed that topical combined administration significantly reduced total blood loss (P = 0.006), hidden blood loss (P = 0.000) and transfusion rate (0% vs. 4%), without increasing the risk of thromboembolic and hemodynamic complications (P > 0.05). Therefore, topical TXA plus DEP was effective and safe in reducing blood loss and transfusion following TKA, without substantial complications. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.