[Efficacy and safety of multiple-dose intravenous tranexamic acid for reducing blood loss in complex tibial plateau fractures: A prospective randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of multiple-dose intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) for reducing blood loss in complex tibial plateau fractures with open reduction internal fixation by a prospective randomized controlled trial. Methods: A study was conducted on patients with Schatzker type Ⅳ-Ⅵ tibial plateau fractures admitted between August 2020 and December 2022. Among them, 88 patients met the selection criteria and were included in the study. They were randomly allocated into 3 groups, the control group (28 cases), single-dose TXA group (31 cases), and multiple-dose TXA group (29 cases), using a random number table method. There was no significant difference ( P>0.05) in terms of age, gender, body mass index, the Schatzker type and side of fracture, laboratory examinations [hemoglobin (Hb), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (Fib), international normalized ratio (INR), D-dimer, and interleukin 6 (IL-6)], and preoperative blood volume. The control group received intravenous infusion of 100 mL saline at 15 minutes before operation and 3, 6, and 24 hours after the first administration. The single-dose TXA group received intravenous infusion of 1 g TXA (dissolved in 100 mL saline) at 15 minutes before operation, followed by an equal amount of saline at each time point after the first administration. The multiple-dose TXA group received intravenous infusion of 1 g TXA (dissolved in 100 mL saline) at each time point. The relevant indicators were recorded and compared between groups to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TXA, including hospital stays, operation time, occurrence of infection; the occurrence of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, intermuscular vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism at 1 week after operation; the lowest postoperative Hb value and Hb reduction rate, the difference (change value) between pre- and post-operative APTT, PT, Fib, and INR; D-dimer and IL-6 at 24 and 72 hours after operation; total blood loss, intraoperative blood loss, hidden blood loss, drainage flow during 48 hours after operation, and postoperative blood transfusion. Results: ① TXA efficacy evaluation: the lowest Hb value in the control group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the single- and multiple-dose TXA groups ( P>0.05). The Hb reduction rate, total blood loss, intraoperative blood loss, drainage flow during 48 hours after operation, and hidden blood loss showed a gradual decrease trend in the control group, single-dose TXA group, and multiple-dose TXA group. And differences were significant ( P<0.05) in the Hb reduction rate and drainage flow during 48 hours after operation between groups, and the total blood loss and hidden blood loss between control group and other two groups. ② TXA safety evaluation: no lower extremity deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism occurred in the three groups after operation, but 3, 4, and 2 cases of intermuscular vein thrombosis occurred in the control group, single-dose TXA group, and multiple-dose TXA group, respectively, and the differences in the incidences between groups were not significant ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the operation time between groups ( P>0.05). But the length of hospital stay was significantly longer in the control group than in the other groups ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference between the single- and multiple-dose TXA groups ( P>0.05). ③ Effect of TXA on blood coagulation and inflammatory response: the incisions of the 3 groups healed by first intention, and no infections occurred. The differences in the changes of APTT, PT, Fib, and INR between groups were not significant ( P>0.05). The D-dimer and IL-6 in the three groups showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing over time, and there was a significant difference between different time points in the three groups ( P<0.05). At 24 and 72 hours after operation, there was no significant difference in D-dimer between groups ( P>0.05), while there was a significant difference in IL-6 between groups ( P<0.05). Conclusion: Multiple intravenous applications of TXA can reduce perioperative blood loss and shorten hospital stays in patients undergoing open reduction and internal fixation of complex tibial plateau fractures, provide additional fibrinolysis control and ameliorate postoperative inflammatory response.

Arthroscopic-assisted reduction and internal fixation for complex tibial plateau fracture: radiographic and clinical outcomes with 2- to 15-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the radiologic and prognostic outcomes after using arthroscopic-assisted reduction and internal fixation (ARIF) in complex tibial plateau fractures with mid- to long-term follow-up. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed complex tibial plateau fractures that underwent ARIF from 1999 to 2019. Radiologic outcomes, including tibial plateau angle (TPA), posterior slope angle (PSA), Kellgren-Lawrence classification and Rasmussen radiologic assessment, were measured and evaluated. The prognosis and complications were assessed by the Rasmussen clinical assessment with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. RESULTS: Ninety-two consecutive patients (mean age: 46.9 years) with a mean follow-up of 74.8 months (24-180) were included in our series. Using AO classification, there were 20 type C1 fractures, 21 type C2 fractures, and 51 type C3 fractures. All the fractures achieved solid union. TPA was maintained well on average at the last follow-up and showed no significant difference compared to postoperatively (p = 0.208). In the sagittal plane, the mean PSA increased from 9.3 ± 2.9° to 9.6 ± 3.1° (p = 0.092). A statistically significant increase in PSA was also noted in the C3 group (p = 0.044). Superficial or deep infection was noted in 4 cases (4.3%), and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was performed in 2 cases (2.2%) due to grade 4 osteoarthritis (OA). Ninety (97.8%) and 89 (96.7%) patients had good or excellent results in the Rasmussen radiologic assessment and Rasmussen clinical assessment, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The complex tibial plateau fracture could be treated successfully using arthroscopy-assisted reduction and internal fixation. Most patients achieve excellent and good clinical outcomes with low complication rates. In our experience, a higher incidence of increased slope was noted, especially in type C3 fractures. Reduction of the posterior fragment should be done cautiously during the operation. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Retrospective review of tibial plateau fractures treated by two methods without staging.

INTRODUCTION: Management of complex tibial plateau fractures can be challenging for orthopaedic surgeons. Wide disagreement still remains about the best surgical technique to use in these fractures. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of complex tibial plateau fractures treated by an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus hybrid external fixation (EF) in term of clinical and functional outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined a series of 79 patients affected by tibial plateau fractures admitted at our Department between January 2006 and November 2011. Forty-one patients were treated using a hybrid EF; in 38 cases, ORIF technique was used. Clinical evaluation was performed using the method of Rasmussen; functional assessment was made using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire. Residual pain was detected using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). RESULTS: The average time to union in the plate group was 17.2 weeks (9.1-45 weeks), while in the EF one 15.9 (7.5-32). The mean overall hospital stay was 14.2 days for the ORIF group and 7.8 for the EF group. At the last follow-up, the mean Rasmussen score was 24.9 (good) in the patients treated with ORIF and 25 (good) in those who received EF. The WOMAC index disclosed a relatively higher score in the EF group (80.5 ORIF-84.2 EF). Pain evaluation revealed no differences between the groups. In terms of complications, deep infection occurred in four (10.5%) patients belonging to the ORIF group and 2 (4.9%) to EF one. Signs of osteoarthritis (OA) were observed in 4 (10.5%) knees that had open reduction and in 11 (26.9%) that had a hybrid external fixator. CONCLUSIONS: Either ORIF or hybrid EF represents a valid treatment option in complex tibial plateau fractures. However, hybrid external fixation has shown relative better functional outcome results, relative lower rate of infection and decreased hospital stays. These aspects make of EF our best choice in case of high-energy complex tibial fractures.