2024 AAOS Annual Meeting: Tranexamic acid for rotator cuff repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Six randomized controlled trials (450 patients) comparing the use of tranexamic acid (TXA) against a control for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Outcomes of interest included visualization; postoperative pain, measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS); operative time; pump pressures; and shoulder swelling. The findings showed a significant difference in favor of TXA. Patients who received TXA had significantly lower average VAS scores compared to the control group. The average weighted operation time for TXA patients was significantly shorter than the control group. No difference in postoperative pump pressures or swelling were found.