Tranexamic Acid and Drain Use in Knee Arthroplasty

Summary

This prospective randomized clinical study is designed to evaluate the effects of intra-articular tranexamic acid (TNA), with or without suction drainage, on perioperative blood management in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for degenerative arthritis. A total of 192 patients will be randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 will receive TNA with suction drainage, Group 2 will receive TNA only, and Group 3 will receive suction drainage only. The primary outcomes will be total blood loss and transfusion requirements. Secondary outcomes will include hidden blood loss, drainage volume, postoperative limb swelling, wound-related complications, and knee range of motion. The study will help clarify whether suction drainage is necessary when intra-articular TNA is used during TKA.

Timeline

Start

2021-08-06

Primary completion

2025-04-01

Completion

2025-04-01

Outcome

Missed primary endpoint

paper did not show the non-inferiority of group L to group D (883 ± 248 vs. 841 ± 257 ml, P = .564). PMID 35109837 ↗

Publications

• Background Zhou C, Gao X, Han H, Wang L, Jiang H. The efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in primary total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthop Surg Res. 2024;19(1):37. doi:10.1177/15563316231208716.
• Background Gonzalez-Pola R, Tafoya-Olivos RO, Culebras-Almeida LA, Zermeno-Garcia G, Herrera-Lozano A. Minimizing bleeding and transfusion in single-stage bilateral hip and knee arthroplasty: A systematic review of current interventions. Rev Esp Cir Ortop Traumatol. 2025 Sep-Oct;69(5):532-543. doi: 10.1016/j.recot.2025.04.017. Epub 2025 May 7. English, Spanish.
• Results Hishimura R, Onodera T, Ohkoshi Y, Okada K, Matsuoka M, Matsubara S, Iwasaki K, Kondo E, Iwasaki N. The effect of local injection of tranexamic acid into peri-articular tissue versus drain clamping in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022 Feb 2;23(1):111. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-05058-6.
• Results Kim MK, Ko SH, Nam YC, Jeon YS, Kwon DG, Ryu DJ. Optimal Release Timing of Drain Clamping to Reduce Postoperative Bleeding after Total Knee Arthroplasty with Intraarticular Injection of Tranexamic Acid. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 5;58(9):1226. doi: 10.3390/medicina58091226.
• Results Liu CH, Chang CH, Chang YH, Shih HN, Hu CC. Topical Fibrin Sealant (Tisseel@) Does Not Provide a Synergic Blood-Conservation Effect with Tranexamic Acid in Total Knee Arthroplasty-A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Nov 26;59(12):2078. doi: 10.3390/medicina59122078.
• Results Zhang W, Li N, Chen S, Tan Y, Al-Aidaros M, Chen L. The effects of hypotensive anesthesia and regional anesthesia on intraoperative blood loss in total knee arthroplasty. World J Emerg Surg. 2024;19(1):33. doi:10.1186/s13017-024-00554-7
• Results Chaiyakit P, Kabkaew P, Hongku N, Wattanapreechanon P. Comparison of total blood loss between limited tourniquet use and conventional tourniquet use in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024 Nov 15;25(1):918. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-08058-w.
• Results Liu Y, Ai J, Teng X, Huang Z, Wu H, Zhang Z, Wang W, Liu C, Zhang H. Risk factor analysis and establishment of a nomogram model to predict blood loss during total knee arthroplasty. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024 Jun 10;25(1):459. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07570-3.
• Results Shih CH, Hsu CL, Lin YC, Lee MS, Huang TL, Chang JK. The role of tranexamic acid and cryotherapy on acute postoperative pain and blood loss in total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial. J Orthop Surg Res. 2025;20(1):141. doi:10.1186/s13018-025-03744-6.
• Results Liangliang L, Wei H, Tao Z, Pin P, Lianying H. Efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid in reducing hidden blood loss during unilateral total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025 Jun 3;12:1552893. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1552893. eCollection 2025.

Drugs

Indications