Effect of Two Different Tranexamic Acid Doses on Blood Loss in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study

Background and aim Head and neck cancer is frequent, and surgeries pose more significant morbidity and mortality due to multitudinal causes; heavy blood loss and transfusion are among them. Tranexamic acid (TXA) is known to stabilize the micro clots hence controlling excessive blood loss. The present study aimed to compare perioperative blood loss with two different doses of TXA and placebo to find the effectiveness and optimal dose. Methods With ethical approvals and informed consent, the present prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study was conducted in a teaching institute from May 31, 2018, to Dec 28, 2019. Patients undergoing elective head and neck cancer (HNC) surgeries were included. Preoperative Hb < 7 gm% or > 16 gm%, known coagulopathy, anticoagulant therapy, contraindications to TXA, intraoperative torrential or blood loss due to arterial injury were excluded. Group T-1 received TXA 10mg/kg, T-II received 15 mg/kg, while the control group (Gr-C) received equal volume normal saline. Data about demography, surgical time, intraoperative and postoperative blood loss, and transfusion were collected and compared. SPSS software was used for analysis; p-value