Influence of Tranexamic Acid in Body Contouring Surgery: Significant Changes on Complication Rates after Abdominoplasty

Background Complications after abdominoplasty remain an unsolved issue in body contouring surgery. The antifibrinolytic drug tranexamic acid (TXA) has gained increasing recognition as a valuable pharmacologic agent within plastic surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of intravenously administered TXA on complications and patient safety after abdominoplasty. Methods Within this retrospective single-center study, patients who underwent abdominoplasty and received intravenous TXA were selected and compared to randomly selected patients who underwent abdominoplasty without administration of TXA. The patient population was divided into two study groups (TXA vs no TXA). Demographic and surgical data as well as complications were evaluated and compared. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed. Results Fifty-seven female and 3 male patients with a median age of 38 years and a mean BMI of 25.6 ± 3.3 kg/m 2 were included in the study. Except smoking history, demographic data showed no statistically significant differences between both groups. The most common complication was seroma formation ( n = 16; 23.9%), and its occurrence was statistically significantly lower in the TXA group ( p = 0.023). Furthermore, postoperative seroma aspiration was performed in statistically significant lower numbers in the TXA group ( p