Tranexamic Acid Use to Reduce Blood Transfusion in Pediatric Cancer Patients Undergoing Limb Salvage Procedure

Study Summary

This is a randomized double-blind control trial evaluating the use Tranexamic acid (TXA) to decrease blood loss and transfusion requirements in pediatric and young adult cancer patients undergoing a limb salvage procedure that frequently requires perioperative or post-operative transfusions of blood products. Primary Objective * To evaluate the difference in intra-or post-operatively transfused blood volume (mL/kg) for patients undergoing limb salvage procedures of the distal femur or proximal tibia who are randomized to receive perioperative tranexamic acid (TXA) versus placebo. Secondary Objectives * To evaluate changes in platelets and in hemoglobin from pre-op to post-op level for patients randomized to receive perioperative TXA versus placebo. * To evaluate differences in post-operative daily surgical drain output for patients randomized to receive perioperative TXA versus placebo. * To evaluate changes in estimated blood loss (EBL) for patients randomized to receive perioperative TXA versus placebo. * To evaluate the association between the intra-or post-operatively transfused blood volume and estimated blood loss (EBL) for patients randomized to receive perioperative TXA and placebo, respectively. Exploratory Objectives * To evaluate differences in functional outcomes post-operatively for patients randomized to receive perioperative TXA versus placebo. * To explore if significant correlations are observed between parameters reported with rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM®) and EBL and transfusion requirements in pediatric and young adult patients undergoing limb salvage procedure who are randomized to perioperative TXA versus placebo. * To evaluate differences in the prevalence and management of wound complications such as superficial or periprosthetic infections, wound dehiscence, contact dermatitis, post- operative hematomas, or any other clinically significant wound complication between patients randomized to receive perioperative TXA versus place

Primary Outcome

The intra-or post-operative volumes of transfused blood for both the TXA treated group and placebo group will be estimated with a two-sided 95% confidence interval. The blood volumes transfused per kilogram of body weight of the two groups (TXA vs. Placebo) will be evaluated using a two-sided student's t-test after log(1+x) transformation.

Interventions

• DRUG Tranexamic Acid
• OTHER 0.9% sodium chloride