Abstract
Objectives:
The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of the randomized controlled trials in the literature to evaluate the use of tranexamic on arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
Methods:
Two independent reviewers performed the literature search based on the PRISMA guidelines with a third author resolving any discrepancies. RCTs comparing TXA to a control in ARCR were included. Visualization, postoperative pain, operative time, pump pressures and shoulder swelling. A p value < 0.05 was deemed statistically significant.
Results:
Six RCTs with 450 patients were included in this review. Overall, 6 studies evaluated intra-operative visualization with 4 studies finding a significant difference in favor of TXA. With TXA patients had a lower average postoperative VAS score of 3.3, and with the control, patients had an average VAS score of 4.1, which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). With TXA the average weighted operation time was 79.3 minutes and with the control the average operation time was 88.8 minutes, which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). No study found any difference in post-operative pump pressures or swelling.
Conclusions:
TXA improved visualization, operative time and subsequent postoperative pain levels in patients undergoing ARCR.