Introduction:

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty improves function and pain in patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis and rotator cuff deficiency. However, it is associated with significant blood loss and postoperative hematoma (PO) formation.

Objective:

To determine the efficacy of tranexamic acid (ATXM) to decrease perioperative bleeding in patients undergoing primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Material and methods:

Cohort of 31 patients undergoing reverse primary arthroplasty, in two groups: group A (17 patients) were given 1 g IV of preoperative tranexamic acid and group B (14 patients) to whom it was not administered. Preoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit were recorded and then after 24 hours of surgery, and quantified bleeding in drainage at 24 hours, as well as blood transfusion needs. The changes presented were statistically compared.

Results:

Demographic data did not show significant differences between the two groups. There is a tendency to reduce bleeding in surgical drainage in patients with ATXM (115.6 ml vs. 162.65 ml p = 0.0768), in the decrease of hemoglobin (2.16 g/dl vs. 2.79 g/dl p = 0.1257) and hematocrit (6.67% vs. 7.95% p = 0.3431). There was a significant reduction in the use of blood products in patients with ATXM (p = 0.0441).

Conclusion:

There is a tendency to have less PO bleeding in patients undergoing primary reverse arthroplasty with the use of ATXM and a lower PO blood transfusion requirement.