Topical and Local TXA in Facelifts - A Randomized Controlled Double Blinded Study

Description

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a fibrinolytic inhibitor which prevents prolonged bleeding by interfering with fibrin clot breakdown by competitively binding to lysine receptors on plasminogen; this prevents the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. TXA will be applied to a randomly assigned side of the face during facelift surgery. The intervention groups will include 1% TXA mixed with standard local consisting 1/4% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, 3% TXA on TXA-soaked pledgets applied for 10 minutes, and 1% TXA with local plus 3% TXA-soaked pledgets. Each treatment arm will be compared to saline in place of TXA on the contralateral side of the face. Although TXA has been widely used in surgical fields for decades and is officially recommended by agencies such as ACOG for use during maternal hemorrhage, its current FDA approval only pertains to oral TXA for heavy menstrual bleeding and IV use for patients with hemophilia to prevent or reduce hemorrhage (cite). The main concern with intravenous TXA is the increased risk for the potential formation of blood clots, mainly in patients with clotting disorders, such as Facor V Leiden, and patients on estrogen containing medication. A recent systemic review with metanalysis by Wang et.al contained a total of 2150 patients receiving IV TXA while undergoing plastic surgery concluded that use of IV TXA does not lead to increased adverse events.\[12\] Given the low rate of adverse events while using TXA systemically, this protocol's application of TXA topically and/or locally negates the risk for any potential systemic adverse effects. No systemic adverse effects have been reported in studies examining local TXA in facial plastic surgery to date.

Conditions

Hemophilia, Hemorrhage, Facelift Surgery

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a fibrinolytic inhibitor which prevents prolonged bleeding by interfering with fibrin clot breakdown by competitively binding to lysine receptors on plasminogen; this prevents the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. TXA will be applied to a randomly assigned side of the face during facelift surgery. The intervention groups will include 1% TXA mixed with standard local consisting 1/4% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, 3% TXA on TXA-soaked pledgets applied for 10 minutes, and 1% TXA with local plus 3% TXA-soaked pledgets. Each treatment arm will be compared to saline in place of TXA on the contralateral side of the face. Although TXA has been widely used in surgical fields for decades and is officially recommended by agencies such as ACOG for use during maternal hemorrhage, its current FDA approval only pertains to oral TXA for heavy menstrual bleeding and IV use for patients with hemophilia to prevent or reduce hemorrhage (cite). The main concern with intravenous TXA is the increased risk for the potential formation of blood clots, mainly in patients with clotting disorders, such as Facor V Leiden, and patients on estrogen containing medication. A recent systemic review with metanalysis by Wang et.al contained a total of 2150 patients receiving IV TXA while undergoing plastic surgery concluded that use of IV TXA does not lead to increased adverse events.\[12\] Given the low rate of adverse events while using TXA systemically, this protocol's application of TXA topically and/or locally negates the risk for any potential systemic adverse effects. No systemic adverse effects have been reported in studies examining local TXA in facial plastic surgery to date.

Topical and Local TXA in Facelifts - A Randomized Controlled Double Blinded Study

Topical and Local TXA in Facelifts - A Randomized Controlled Double Blinded Study

Condition
Hemophilia
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Minneapolis

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55414

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Eligible participants will consist of all regular clinic patients who elect and are deemed fit by the surgeon to undergo facelift surgery, including patients undergoing ancillary procedures
  • * age 18 and older
  • * English speaking.
  • * younger than 18
  • * previously had an adverse reaction to tranexamic acid
  • * non-English speaking
  • * patients who elect not to participate or withdraw from the study.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Minnesota,

Jenna Van Beck, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Minnesota

Friederike Luetzenberg,, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Minnesota

Study Record Dates

2026-07-01