Tranexamic Acid During Telescoping Nail Application In Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare inherited pathology that consists of abnormal type one collagen synthesis that affects all structures in the body. The most important and early sign of this pathology is the appearance of fractures after low-energy trauma, progressive bowing of long bones, joint instability, and chronic bone pain. The most used classification is the one created by Sillence that initially had four types and now is expended to more than 15 types. A new nomenclature was published in 2014 in order to simplify the classification and help understand such an intricate pathology. Clinically, all systems in the body are affected, but changes to the musculoskeletal are the most severe; besides, a variable degree of bone brittleness is present. Patients are suffering from severe hyperlaxity, short stature, scoliosis, progressive bowing of the limbs, and chronic bone pain due to continuous microfractures.

The surgical treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is negatively influenced by clinical features such as osteoporosis, limb deformities and bone changes caused by bisphosphonate therapy. Blood loss during telescoping nail application in patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta is a serious problem especially patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta type III are considered at high risk of blood loss during surgery because of capillary fragility and an altered platelet function.

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic drug that has been shown to be effective in reducing blood loss and the need for transfusions after several orthopaedic surgeries.

However, the effectiveness of tranexamic acid use in application of telescoping nail in osteogenesis imperfecta still remains unclear and no previously available study about this subject. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of intraoperative use of intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid in reducing total blood loss and transfusion rates for patients who will be operated with telescoping nail application for osteogenesis imperfecta.

Each patient with osteogenesis imperfecta, who consecutively will undergo telescoping femoral nail application with intraoperative use of tranexamic acid during 2022-2023, will be recruited in the study.

A total of 40 patients undergoing telescoping femoral nail application for osteogenesis imperfecta will be including in a prospective randomized study.

Taking detailed history and full clinical examination to exclude the presence of any medical disorder that prevents use of Tranexamic acid. Preoperative lab investigations are Complete Blood Count (CBC) to determine Hemoglobin HB level and Hematocrit value preoperatively.

Operations will be performing under general anesthesia, no tourniquet is using, and the intraoperative regime will be the same for all patients. Patients will be dividing into 2 groups; in group A (control); patients receiving no tranexamic acid, in group B (case); patients receiving 10-15mg/kg or 1g of tranexamic acid intravenously, given 30 minutes before skin incision in telescoping femoral nail application followed by another dose of intravenous tranexamic acid (10-15mg/kg; body weight average 1g) at time of wound closure.

Intraoperative blood loss shall be quantified by measuring irrigation fluid and the weight of surgical sponges used to dry the field intraoperatively by the researcher plus amount of blood in suction drain.

Comparison of blood loss between patients with first femoral osteotomy and patients with previous recurrent femoral osteotomies.

Inclusion criteria

All patients with osteogenesis imperfecta who will undergo telescoping femoral nail application in Assiut University Hospital - Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery between April 2022 and March 2023.

Exclusion criteria

• Known allergy to Tranexamic Acid
• History of any acquired disturbances of colour vision
• History of major comorbidities (e.g., severe ischemic heart disease)
• Refusal of blood products
• History of fibrinolytic disorders requiring intraoperative antifibrinolytic treatment, coagulopathy in the past and/or as identified by a preoperative platelet count of <150,000/mm3, or a prolonged partial thromboplastin time, active intravascular clotting & known congenital thrombophilia
• Preoperative use of anticoagulant therapy within five days before surgery
• Medical Unfit
• Participation in another clinical trial involving pharmaceutical drugs.
• Patients or their relatives who refuse to participate in the study