Tranexamic Acid Administration in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.
Magdy H Eldegwy, Hany O Ragab, Mohammed A Taha Alafifi et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed tranexamic acid (TXA) during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), drawing on 9 studies with 1665 patients: 842 received TXA and 823 received no intervention or placebo. Pooled results associated TXA with a smaller reduction in preoperative hemoglobin levels (mean difference -0.2 [95% CI -0.38, -0.02], p = 0.03), shorter operative duration and shorter hospital stay. The analysis found no significant differences in transfusion or reoperation for bleeding, and no thromboembolic events were reported.
Key findings
- TXA was associated with a smaller reduction in preoperative hemoglobin levels: mean difference -0.2 (95% CI -0.38, -0.02), p = 0.03.
- Operative duration was shorter with TXA: mean difference -4.56 (95% CI -7.36, -1.76), p = 0.001.
- Hospital stay was shorter with TXA: mean difference -0.12 (95% CI -0.16, -0.08), p<0.00001.
- No significant differences were found in transfusion or reoperation for bleeding; no thromboembolic events were reported.
Why it matters
Bleeding is a frequent early complication of LSG, so evidence about perioperative TXA may inform assessment of blood loss and recovery outcomes. The pooled findings suggest possible benefits in hemoglobin reduction, operative duration and hospital stay, but do not establish a reduction in transfusions or bleeding-related reoperations.
What to keep in mind
The review included 9 studies, and the abstract does not describe their designs or provide further detail on study quality. No thromboembolic events were reported, which does not establish the absence of risk.