Efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in total hip replacement: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND: Hip osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal degenerative diseases in elderly. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is the most effective surgical treatment for end stage hip osteoarthritis. Tranexamic acid (TA) is a potent drug to reduce surgical blood loss in surgery, therefore, as a potential drug for application in THA. OBJECTIVES: To identify the combined efficacy of TA administration in THA. A meta-analysis including 25 randomized controlled trials was conducted for generating synthesized effects. METHODS: This meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analysis. A total of 25 Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included for meta-analysis. RESULTS: The pooled results illustrated that total blood loss, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood loss, hemoglobin drop, transfusion rate, and average hospital stay were significantly lower than controls (standardized mean difference or odds ratio (OR) (95%CI): −0.87, (−1.13,−0.61), −0.68, (−0.96,−0.39), −1.41, (−2.24,−0.59), −1.11, (−1.63,−0.58), 0.28, (0.20,−0.38), −0.17, (−0.49,0.14), P < .05, respectively). Moreover, TA acts efficiently without increasing risk of thromboembolic events with OR = 1.14, 95%CI = 0.50–2.62, P = .75. Subgroup analysis indicated no statistically significant differences between a higher dose of topical TA (≥2 g or 15 mg/kg) or a lower dose (<2 g or 15 mg/kg). CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that TA is clinically effective and safe in patients receiving total hip arthroplasty.