Intramedullary Tranexamic Acid to Reduce Blood Loss in Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation Surgery
Intramedullary administration of tranexamic acid reduces bleeding in proximal femoral nail antirotation surgery for intertrochanteric fractures in elderly individuals: A randomized controlled trial.
Chin J Traumatol . 2025 May;28(3):201-207.One hundred sixty-five elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures were randomized to receive intramedullary TXA perfusion (n=83) or intramedullary saline alone (n=82 randomized) during proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) surgery. The primary outcomes were total peri-operative blood loss and post-operative concentrated red blood cell (CRBC) transfusion rate. Secondary outcomes included hidden blood loss, peri-operative haemoglobin trends, transfusion volume and cost, thrombotic events (including lower-limb DVT, myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolism), re-operation, wound infection, and 3-month mortality. Outcomes were assessed from admission through the peri-operative period to 3 months after surgery. Overall, the results of the study revealed that intramedullary TXA significantly reduced total peri-operative and hidden blood loss, lowered transfusion rates and blood-related costs, without increasing DVT or short-term mortality compared with saline. These findings suggest that intramedullary TXA is an effective and apparently safe adjunct for blood management in elderly patients undergoing PFNA fixation for intertrochanteric fractures.
Unlock the Full ACE Report
You have access to 4 more FREE articles this month.
Click below to unlock and view this ACE Reports
Unlock Now
Critical appraisals of the latest, high-impact randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews in orthopaedics
Access to OrthoEvidence podcast content, including collaborations with the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, interviews with internationally recognized surgeons, and roundtable discussions on orthopaedic news and topics
Subscription to The Pulse, a twice-weekly evidence-based newsletter designed to help you make better clinical decisions
Exclusive access to original content articles, including in-house systematic reviews, and articles on health research methods and hot orthopaedic topics