Effect and safety of topical application of tranexamic acid to reduce perioperative blood loss in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture undergoing PFNA

The specific method and dose of tranexamic acid (TXA) topically applied for intertrochanteric fractures have not been well established. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of TXA topically administered via our protocol for perioperative bleeding management in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures who underwent proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA). A retrospective comparative analysis was performed. The TXA group was composed of 82 patients with topical use of TXA, and the control group was composed of 82 patients without TXA use during the PFNA procedure. Intraoperative, total and hidden amounts of blood loss, drainage volumes, postoperative blood transfusion volumes and complications were compared between the 2 groups. The intraoperative, total and hidden amounts of blood loss and the drainage volumes were significantly lower in the TXA group than in the control group (P = .012, P < .01, P < .01, P = .014, respectively). The volume and rate of blood transfusion in the TXA group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < .01). There were no significant differences in complications between the 2 groups (P > .05). Topical application of TXA offers an effective and safe option for reducing perioperative blood loss and transfusion in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures undergoing PFNA.