The effects of navigation and tranexamic acid in reducing the need for blood transfusion after TKA
Abstract Background: We investigate the synergistic effect of the use of tranexamic acid and navigation in reducing the need for blood transfusion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Secondly, we compare the effects of navigation and tranexamic acid on blood transfusion reduction after TKA. Methods: Patients were divided into 3 groups and compared. Those who had manual TKA with the use of tranexamic acid were group 1 (N = 30), those who had navigated TKA without tranexamic acid were group 2 (N = 30), and those who had navigated TKA with tranexamic acid were group 3 (N = 30). Group 1 was studied prospectively, while group 2 and 3 were studied retrospectively. All operation was held by one operator. We measured the frequency of transfusion after the operation within the admission period. To compare the postoperative bleeding, drainage volume during two days after surgery was compared and analyzed. Results: Group 1 (Manual TKA with tranexamic acid) had 2 cases of transfusion (6.7%), while there were 9 cases in group 2 (Navigated TKA with no tranexamic acid) (30%), and 3 cases in group 3 (Navigated TKA with tranexamic acid) (10%). In Chi-square test, this difference was statistically significant. Average of 525.50 ± 194.91 ml of drainage was drained in two days after surgery in group 1 (Manual TKA with tranexamic acid), 611.60 ± 263.20 ml in group 2 (Navigated TKA with no tranexamic acid) and 411.42 ± 188.21 ml in group 3 (Navigated TKA with tranexamic acid). This difference was analyzed in one-way ANOVA which showed significantly different. The need for transfusion in group 2 (Navigated TKA with no tranexamic acid) was 5.86 times higher than that in group 1 (Manual TKA with tranexamic acid). The necessity of transfusion in the group 3 (Navigated TKA with tranexamic acid) was 0.199 times higher than that of the group 2 (Navigated TKA with no tranexamic acid). Conclusion: The combined use of navigation and tranexamic acid has no synergistic effect in reducing post TKA bleeding and the need for blood transfusion compared to tranexamic acid alone. And, use of tranexamic acid is more effective than navigation in reducing blood transfusions and blood loss after TKA.