Work

The Potential of Transexamic Acid Use for Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a drug commonly used to decrease intraoperative bleeding. Its use in various types of surgery is well defined; however, its use in plastic surgery and even more so, hand surgery is not as well researched. Concurrently, the use of wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) procedures has increased in popularity. As the use of WALANT increases, it comes to question whether TXA could be used as an alternative to epinephrine during WALANT procedures. This case involves a 33-year-old woman status-post motor vehicle collision. On examination, the patient sustained transection of the flexor digitorum profundus on both her left middle and ring fingers along with absent sensation to her left middle finger. Due to the surgical preference for vascular monitoring, TXA was used alternatively to epinephrine to control intraoperative bleeding during the tendon repairs. It was observed that TXA allowed for controlled bleeding, preservation of the surgical visual field, successful tendon repair, and postoperative success. The successful use of TXA in this case prompts further investigation as to whether TXA could be used as an alternative to epinephrine in WALANT procedures.

Source: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Global Open

DOI: 10.1097/gox.0000000000004630

Authors: George Economou, Nicholas Kunda, Kyle R. Eberlin, Ian L. Valerio, Nikhil A. Agrawal

Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Blood transfusion and management

Subfield: Biochemistry (medical)

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,195