Tranexamic acid in rhytidectomy: a scoping review

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative and postoperative bleeding is considered one of the most common risks in rhytidectomy. Recently, the use of antifibrinolytic agents in facial plastic and reconstructive surgeries has been evaluated, but their use in rhytidectomy remains a topic of ongoing discussion. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic agent that prevents enzymatic degradation of the fibrin clot by blocking the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, improves platelet function, and has a direct anti-inflammatory effect. This review covers pertinent literature to elucidate whether the use of TXA in rhytidectomy confers intraoperative and postoperative benefits. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in online databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science for all articles on the topic of TXA in facelift published up to and including June, 2023 using the following terms: “TXA,” “tranexamic acid,” “plastic surgery,” “aesthetic surgery,” “facelift,” “rhytidectomy”. They were either searched individually or in combination. All relevant original research articles, of any study design were included and narratively discussed in this review. Studies not carried out in humans and studies centred on the use of TXA in other specialties were excluded. English Language was included. RESULTS: Eight articles were reviewed in this paper. Through these articles, the authors provided in detail the possible beneficial effects of TXA in facelift patients in evaluating several clinical outcomes: intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drain output, postoperative oedema, ecchymosis, operative time, and surgical field quality. CONCLUSION: Although there is still a lack of information on TXA in facelift patients, we are not able to deny the beneficial effects of TXA on this topic. Therefore, further investigations including prospective, case-controlled multi-institutional studies comparing routes of delivery should be performed until reaching, at the end, an evidence-based guideline providing a clear protocol in terms of the administration and dosage of TXA in facelift.