TXA in the Reduction of Post-Op Hematoma and Seroma in Patients Undergoing Panniculectomy or Abdominoplasty

Study Summary

The purpose of this study is to study the use of a drug, tranexamic acid (TXA) to decrease bleeding and fluid collections in patients undergoing excision of excess lower abdominal skin and soft tissue, otherwise known as a panniculectomy. The use of TXA in this study is experimental. TXA is a medication currently used in many surgical subspecialties to control bleeding. TXA is approved by the FDA as a medication taken by mouth for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding and as an injection in patients with hemophilia for short-term use (two to eight days) to reduce or prevent hemorrhage and reduce the need for replacement therapy during and following tooth extraction. The use of TXA in this study is experimental, which means it is not approved by the FDA for topical use in decreasing bleeding during and after surgery. The results of this study will help the researchers determine if TXA is effective in decreasing blood loss following surgery. If effective, researchers hope this will result in earlier removal of post-operative drains leading to faster return to work or social activities

Primary Outcome

Patient recorded, post operative drain output. Patients will track their 24-hour total drain output by recording the 24-hour total output at 10 am every day. If the output exceeds the drain capacity during the 24-hour interval but before the 10am empty time, the patient will empty the drain when full, record that output, allow the drain output to reaccumulate, and empty-record the drain output again at 10am or again when the output exceeds the drain capacity. The individual outputs recorded duri

Interventions

• DRUG Saline
• DRUG Tranexamic acid