CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 25(04): e557-e562
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1722255
Original Research

Effectiveness and Adverse Effects of Tranexamic Acid in Bleeding during Adenotonsillectomy: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-blind Clinical Trial

1   Department of Surgery, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
2   Department of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Londrina, PR, Brazil
3   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
4   Centro Londrinense de Otorrinolaringologia, Londrina, PR, Brazil
,
2   Department of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Londrina, PR, Brazil
,
2   Department of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Londrina, PR, Brazil
,
1   Department of Surgery, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
2   Department of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Londrina, PR, Brazil
,
1   Department of Surgery, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil
,
4   Centro Londrinense de Otorrinolaringologia, Londrina, PR, Brazil
,
3   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
,
3   Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Introduction Intra and postoperative bleeding are the most frequent and feared complications in adenotonsillectomy (AT). Tranexamic acid (TXA), which is known for its antifibrinolytic effects, has a proven benefit in reducing bleeding in hemorrhagic trauma and cardiac surgery; however, the effectiveness and timing of its application in AT have not yet been established.

Objectives We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of TXA in controlling bleeding during and after AT and assess its possible adverse effects in children.

Methods The present randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial included 63 children aged 2 to 12 years. They were randomly assigned to receive either intravenous TXA (10 mg/kg) or placebo 10 minutes before surgery. The volume of intraoperative bleeding, presence of postoperative bleeding, and adverse effects during and 8 hours after the surgery were assessed.

Results No difference in bleeding volume was noted between the 2 groups (mean, 122.7 ml in the TXA group versus 115.5 ml in the placebo group, p = 0.36). No intraoperative or postoperative adverse effects were noted because of TXA use. Furthermore, no primary or secondary postoperative bleeding was observed in any of the participants.

Conclusion In our pediatric sample, TXA (10 mg/kg) administration before AT was safely used, without any adverse effects. It did not reduce the bleeding volume in children during this type of surgery. Future studies should assess the use of higher doses of TXA and its administration at other time points before or during surgery.

Trial Registration ReBEC

U1111–1259–3915




Publication History

Received: 07 August 2020

Accepted: 16 November 2020

Article published online:
19 February 2021

© 2021. Fundação Otorrinolaringologia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commecial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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