Intraoperative use of tranexamic acid eliminates bleeding complications in thyroid and parathyroid surgery

Abstract Introduction Postoperative neck bleeding is a rare but life-threatening complication in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. It requires an emergency treatment algorithm to prevent asphyxia and severe brain injury. Tranexamic acid is an antifibrinolytic medication which treats or prevents excessive blood loss in a variety of clinical situations such as, major trauma, postpartum bleeding, and heavy menstruation. We studied the use of tranexamic acid to eliminate the incidence of postoperative neck hematoma. Methods All thyroid and parathyroid patients operated from the same surgical team were evaluated. The patients were divided in two groups: Group A before and Group B after the use of tranexamic acid. The medication was used intravenously to all Group B patients during the hemostasis control and prior the neck wound closure. Results A total of 1457 consecutive patients were studied from 01-01-2001 to 06-06-2021. Group A included 669 patients (620 thyroid and 49 parathyroid patients) from 01-01-2001 until 27-06-2018. Group B included 788 patients (705 thyroid and 83 parathyroid patients) from 27-06-2018 until 06-06-2021. Group A had 15 (2,24% incidence) postoperative neck hematomas and 6 of them (0,89%) required emergency surgical drainage. Group B had no postoperative bleeding episodes with the intraoperative use of tranexamic acid. Conclusion The use of tranexamic acid eliminates postoperative bleeding episodes in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.