The Effect of Topical Tranexamic Acid on Postoperative Bleeding From Superficial Wounds

The Effect of Topical Application of Tranexamic Acid on Postoperative Bleeding in Patients Undergoing Tangential Skin Excision

After surgical procedures, interventions to reduce postoperative bleeding are of great importance. In this study, the effect will be investigated of administering tranexamic acid, which is designed for injection, directly onto the raw wound surface (topical application) created during surgery. In this way only a small amount of drug is to reach a large wound area. There will be a higher drug concentration of it in the exposed wound surface than after injection, but only a very low concentration in the body, and no risk of injury from needles. The researchers have recently shown that topically applicated tranexamic acid reduces bleeding in women who had two-sided breast reduction surgery. Now it will be studied whether topically applicated tranexamic acid reduces bleeding from superficial wounds, using as a study model the homogenous wounds created by tangential skin excision when harvesting split skin grafts for skin transplants. Two identical wound surfaces in the same patient will serve as case and control.

tranexamic acid solution to be applied on one of two superficial donor wounds on each participant. Potential candidates will be consecutively identified by the trial investigators among patients admitted to the Burn Unit at Haukeland University Hospital.

Saline solution to be applied on one of two superficial donor wounds on each participant. Potential candidates will be consecutively identified by the trial investigators among patients admitted to the Burn Unit at Haukeland University Hospital.

to be registered as the wound change where there was no oozing in the bandages. This information will be extracted from the patient's medical record or from a patient telephone interview 3-4 weeks postoperatively if the wounds were followed elsewhere.

Postoperative complications related to the wound such as infection, allergic reactions or abnormal pain

Inclusion Criteria: to undergo split skin graft harvesting two equally large and symmetrically distributed wounds can be defined in the donor area received adequate oral and written information about the study and signed an informed-consent form. For those not capable of giving informed consent at the time of inclusion but included via next-of-kin, consent will be obtained or withdrawn when the patient is able to independently consider the inclusion Exclusion Criteria: pregnant or breastfeeding known allergy to tranexamic acid/Cyklokapron®