Cases report on the use of tranexamic acid to reduce perioperative bleeding in liposuction and abdominoplasty procedures

Abstract

Introduction: Liposuction and abdominoplasty are two of the most common aesthetic surgeries practiced in the world. One of the most frequent complications of these procedures is the perioperative blood loss, which has negative effects on the recovery of the patients after the surgery. For this reason, it is important to search for new possibilities that reduce blood loss during this type of surgery.     

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of tranexamic acid in reducing perioperative bleeding in liposuction and abdominoplasty procedures.

Methods: We present a retrospective case series report in which 1 gram of tranexamic acid was applied to a group of patients before the surgery. Later we reviewed and compared an hemogram taken before and after the surgery. Additionally, we evaluate if the patients required blood transfusion after the procedure.

Results: A population of 37 female patients was studied. None of the patients presented a postsurgical hemoglobin level lower than 8 g/dl nor required blood transfusion products after surgery. A Spearman’s rank correlation was performed between the variables, in which there was no evidence of association between lipoaspirate, and hemoglobin or postoperative hematocrit.

Conclusion: The tranexamic acid is a medicament that can be useful for reducing perioperative blood loss in liposuction and abdominoplasty, such results were proved since none of the patients who received the medication required transfusion of red blood cells.

Key words: Tranexamic acid, liposuction, abdominoplasty, hemorrhage