The Effect of Topical Tranexamic Acid on Bleeding and Seroma Formation in After Undergoing Mastectomy

Summary

After surgical procedures, interventions to reduce postoperative bleeding are of great importance. In this study, the effect will be investigated of smearing tranexamic acid, which is designed for injection, directly onto the raw wound surface (topical application) created during surgery. Topical application allows a small amount of drug to reach a large wound area, higher drug concentration in the exposed wound surface but very low concentration in the body, and no risk of injury from needles. The researchers have recently shown that topically applicated tranexamic acid reduces bleeding in women who had two-sided breast reduction surgery. Now it will be studied whether topically applicated tranexamic acid reduces bleeding after breast surgery for breast cancer. After surgery for breast cancer patients may also experience problems with long lasting seroma. Therefore it will at the same time be investigated whether topical tranexamic acid reduces the development of seroma in these patients.

Timeline

Start

2016-01

Primary completion

2018-10-01

Completion

2018-10-01

Outcome

Met primary endpoint

paper TXA reduced mean drain production at 24 h (110 versus 144 ml; mean difference 34 (95 per cent c.i. 8 to 60) ml, P = 0·011). PMID 32207575 ↗

Publications

• Background Ausen K, Fossmark R, Spigset O, Pleym H. Randomized clinical trial of topical tranexamic acid after reduction mammoplasty. Br J Surg. 2015 Oct;102(11):1348-53. doi: 10.1002/bjs.9878.
• Results Ausen K, Hagen AI, Ostbyhaug HS, Olafsson S, Kvalsund BJ, Spigset O, Pleym H. Topical moistening of mastectomy wounds with diluted tranexamic acid to reduce bleeding: randomized clinical trial. BJS Open. 2020 Apr;4(2):216-224. doi: 10.1002/bjs5.50248. Epub 2019 Dec 26.

Drugs

Indications