Effect of Tranexamic Acid Administration on Postoperative Ecchymosis and Edema in Excision of Lipomas

Abstract

BACKGROUND 

Previous studies have shown that systemic tranexamic acid reduces bleeding during soft tissue surgeries and reduces postoperative ecchymosis and edema experienced by surgical patients.

OBJECTIVE 

To evaluate the effect of postoperative tranexamic acid administration on the reduction of ecchymosis and edema after lipoma surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS 

A total of 40 patients who underwent lipoma excision were included in the comparative analysis. In the tranexamic acid group (n = 20), 1 g of tranexamic acid was administered daily for 5 consecutive postoperative days. Tranexamic acid was not administered to the control group (n = 20). The severity of ecchymosis and edema at the first visit after surgery was rated on a 4-point scale by 2 blinded dermatologists.

RESULTS 

The mean interval of the initial visit after surgery was 1.1 ± 0.5 (range: 1–4) days. Mean ecchymosis scores were significantly lower in the tranexamic acid group (0.5 ± 0.8) than in the control group (1.2 ± 1.0) (p < .05). No statistical difference was seen in mean edema scores between groups (0.5 ± 0.6 in tranexamic acid vs 0.7 ± 0.8 in control).

CONCLUSION 

We observed that postoperative administration of tranexamic acid significantly decreased ecchymosis in lipoma excision.