Effect of Intravenous and Topical Tranexamic Acid on Drain Output in Breast Reduction Surgery

NCT ID: NCT07131592

Last Updated: 2026-01-16

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE4

Total Enrollment

160 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-11-18

Study Completion Date

2027-08-31

Brief Summary

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This study aims to evaluate whether tranexamic acid (TXA), a medication that helps reduce bleeding, can decrease fluid drainage after breast reduction surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either intravenous TXA or no TXA during surgery. Additionally, one breast will receive TXA through the surgical drain, while the other will receive saline. This approach allows to compare the effects of TXA on fluid buildup and healing. The goal is to improve recovery and reduce complications after breast reduction surgery.

Detailed Description

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This single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial investigates the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) on postoperative drain output and recovery following bilateral reduction mammaplasty. While TXA is widely utilized to minimize intraoperative blood loss, its role in optimizing postoperative wound healing and fluid management in plastic surgery remains underexplored.

Participants undergoing bilateral breast reduction will be randomized to receive either intravenous TXA or no TXA at the time of surgery. In addition, each breast will be independently randomized to receive TXA or saline via the closed-suction drain after skin closure. This split-body design enables a controlled intra-individual comparison of local TXA effects, while concurrently assessing systemic administration in a parallel fashion.

Primary outcomes include total drain output per breast and time to drain removal. Secondary endpoints include the incidence of postoperative hematoma and patient reported outcomes. All outcome measures will be recorded using standardized protocols and assessed by blinded evaluators where applicable.

Participants will be followed until 30 days postoperatively.

Given the established safety profile of TXA and the relatively low-risk nature of the intervention, no independent data monitoring committee has been appointed. The study has been approved by the local IRB and will adhere to institutional standards for adverse event monitoring and reporting.

Conditions

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Drain Output After Breast Reduction Surgery Breast Reductions

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants are randomized to either receive intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) or no TXA during bilateral breast reduction surgery. Within each participant, a split-breast design is applied: one breast is treated with topical TXA through the surgical drain, while the contralateral breast receives saline
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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IV TXA + Topical TXA

Participants in this arm receive a single dose of intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) during surgery. After skin closure, one breast is treated with topical TXA administered through the surgical drain.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

IV TXA

Intervention Type DRUG

Patients randomized to the IV TXA group will receive intravenous Tranexamic acid during the procedure. The dose will be 1g IV infused over approx. 10 minutes prior to skin closure (dosing of approx. 15 mg/kg, capped at 1 g, which is within safe limits).

Topical TXA

Intervention Type DRUG

Before wound closure, one 15mm round Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is placed in each breast pocket, exiting through a lateral chest wall stab incision. The randomized topical TXA intervention is then applied through the drain into the breast after skin closure. The drains will then be temporarily clamped for 20 minutes to allow the TXA to dwell in the tissue and exert local effect. After this the clamp is released, the excess fluid sucked off and the drain connected to a drainage bottle.

IV TXA + Topical Saline

Participants in this arm receive a single dose of intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) during surgery. After skin closure, one breast is treated with saline administered through the surgical drain.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

IV TXA

Intervention Type DRUG

Patients randomized to the IV TXA group will receive intravenous Tranexamic acid during the procedure. The dose will be 1g IV infused over approx. 10 minutes prior to skin closure (dosing of approx. 15 mg/kg, capped at 1 g, which is within safe limits).

Topical saline

Intervention Type DRUG

Before wound closure, one 15mm round Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is placed in each breast pocket, exiting through a lateral chest wall stab incision. The randomized saline intervention is then applied through the drain into the breast after skin closure. The drains will then be temporarily clamped for 20 minutes to allow the saline to dwell in the tissue and exert local effect. After this the clamp is released, the excess fluid sucked off and the drain connected to a drainage bottle.

No IV TXA + Topical TXA

Participants in this arm receive no intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) during surgery. After skin closure, one breast is treated with TXA administered through the surgical drain.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Topical TXA

Intervention Type DRUG

Before wound closure, one 15mm round Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is placed in each breast pocket, exiting through a lateral chest wall stab incision. The randomized topical TXA intervention is then applied through the drain into the breast after skin closure. The drains will then be temporarily clamped for 20 minutes to allow the TXA to dwell in the tissue and exert local effect. After this the clamp is released, the excess fluid sucked off and the drain connected to a drainage bottle.

No IV TXA + Topical Saline

Participants in this arm receive no intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) during surgery. After skin closure, one breast is treated with saline administered through the surgical drain.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Topical saline

Intervention Type DRUG

Before wound closure, one 15mm round Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is placed in each breast pocket, exiting through a lateral chest wall stab incision. The randomized saline intervention is then applied through the drain into the breast after skin closure. The drains will then be temporarily clamped for 20 minutes to allow the saline to dwell in the tissue and exert local effect. After this the clamp is released, the excess fluid sucked off and the drain connected to a drainage bottle.

Interventions

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IV TXA

Patients randomized to the IV TXA group will receive intravenous Tranexamic acid during the procedure. The dose will be 1g IV infused over approx. 10 minutes prior to skin closure (dosing of approx. 15 mg/kg, capped at 1 g, which is within safe limits).

Intervention Type DRUG

Topical TXA

Before wound closure, one 15mm round Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is placed in each breast pocket, exiting through a lateral chest wall stab incision. The randomized topical TXA intervention is then applied through the drain into the breast after skin closure. The drains will then be temporarily clamped for 20 minutes to allow the TXA to dwell in the tissue and exert local effect. After this the clamp is released, the excess fluid sucked off and the drain connected to a drainage bottle.

Intervention Type DRUG

Topical saline

Before wound closure, one 15mm round Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain is placed in each breast pocket, exiting through a lateral chest wall stab incision. The randomized saline intervention is then applied through the drain into the breast after skin closure. The drains will then be temporarily clamped for 20 minutes to allow the saline to dwell in the tissue and exert local effect. After this the clamp is released, the excess fluid sucked off and the drain connected to a drainage bottle.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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Topical Tranexamic acid Topical TXA through drain Topical 0.9% Sodium Chloride Topical Placebo

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Adults aged 18 years or older
* Elective bilateral breast reduction
* Patient understands and is willing to participate in the study
* Patient willing to and capable of providing informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Age less than 18 years old
* Prior radiation to the breast
* Secondary/Revision breast reduction
* Known coagulopathy or bleeding disorders
* Intraoperative coagulopathy
* History of seizures
* Active smokers
* Allergy or contraindication to TXA
* Pregnant or breastfeeding patients
* Patient is unable or unwilling to complete the anticipated study follow-up
* Inability to understand the aims and objectives of the study
* Inability to or unwilling to provide informed consent
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Massachusetts General Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Katherine Carruthers

MD, MS, Primary Investigator, Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Facility Contacts

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Katherine H Carruthers, MD

Role: primary

617-643-7294

References

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Nichols G, Andrade E, Gregoski M, Herrera FA, Armstrong MB. Local Infiltration of Tranexamic Acid in Breast Reduction for Symptomatic Macromastia. Ann Plast Surg. 2023 Jun 1;90(6S Suppl 4):S366-S370. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003456. Epub 2023 Feb 18.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36856723 (View on PubMed)

Ausen K, Fossmark R, Spigset O, Pleym H. Randomized clinical trial of topical tranexamic acid after reduction mammoplasty. Br J Surg. 2015 Oct;102(11):1348-53. doi: 10.1002/bjs.9878.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26349843 (View on PubMed)

Safran T, Vorstenbosch J, Viezel-Mathieu A, Davison P, Dionisopoulos T. Topical Tranexamic Acid in Breast Reconstruction: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2023 Oct 1;152(4):699-706. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000010322. Epub 2023 Feb 27.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36827482 (View on PubMed)

Liechti R, van de Wall BJM, Hug U, Fritsche E, Franchi A. Tranexamic Acid Use in Breast Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2023 May 1;151(5):949-957. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000010071. Epub 2022 Dec 19.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36729428 (View on PubMed)

Guggenheim L, Magni S, Catic A, Pagnamenta A, Harder Y, Schmauss D. The Effects of Systemic Tranexamic Acid Administration on Drainage Volume, Duration of Drain Placement, and Length of Hospital Stay in Skin- and Nipple-Sparing Mastectomies with Immediate Expander-Based Breast Reconstruction. J Clin Med. 2024 Oct 30;13(21):6507. doi: 10.3390/jcm13216507.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 39518646 (View on PubMed)

Zucal I, De Pellegrin L, Pagnamenta A, Schmauss D, Brucato D, De Monti M, Schweizer R, Harder Y, Parodi C. Topical Application of Tranexamic Acid in Abdominoplasties Leads to Lower Drainage Volume and Earlier Drain Removal. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2025 May 20;13(5):e6799. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000006799. eCollection 2025 May.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 40395663 (View on PubMed)

Fung E, Godek M, Roth JM, Montalmant KE, Yu BZ, Henderson PW. The current state of tranexamic acid in mastectomy and breast reconstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2025 May;104:259-272. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2025.03.022. Epub 2025 Mar 12.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 40156946 (View on PubMed)

Om A, Marxen T, Kebede S, Losken A. The Usage of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Reduction Mammaplasty Safely Reduces Hematoma Rates. Ann Plast Surg. 2023 Jun 1;90(6S Suppl 4):S371-S374. doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003296. Epub 2022 Dec 8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36729851 (View on PubMed)

Buheiri AR, Tveskov L, Dines LM, Bagge JD, Moller S, Bille C. Tranexamic Acid in Breast Surgery - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Clin Breast Cancer. 2025 Jul;25(5):e496-e510. doi: 10.1016/j.clbc.2025.01.011. Epub 2025 Jan 23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 39924382 (View on PubMed)

Ker K, Edwards P, Perel P, Shakur H, Roberts I. Effect of tranexamic acid on surgical bleeding: systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis. BMJ. 2012 May 17;344:e3054. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e3054.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22611164 (View on PubMed)

Dunn CJ, Goa KL. Tranexamic acid: a review of its use in surgery and other indications. Drugs. 1999 Jun;57(6):1005-32. doi: 10.2165/00003495-199957060-00017.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10400410 (View on PubMed)

Kaoutzanis C, Winocour J, Gupta V, Ganesh Kumar N, Sarosiek K, Wormer B, Tokin C, Grotting JC, Higdon KK. Incidence and Risk Factors for Major Hematomas in Aesthetic Surgery: Analysis of 129,007 Patients. Aesthet Surg J. 2017 Oct 16;37(10):1175-1185. doi: 10.1093/asj/sjx062.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28398469 (View on PubMed)

Yao A, Yi J, Greige N, Chemakin K, Weichman KE, Ricci JA. Effect of intraoperative blood pressure on incidence of hematoma in breast reduction mammoplasty. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2022 Aug;75(8):2594-2600. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2022.04.014. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35568688 (View on PubMed)

Alhebshi ZA, Sabbagh SR, AlQurain ZJ, Bamuqabel AO, Dahlan DJ, Rajoub RA, Fallatah DO, Rajoub BA, Wasaya HMI, Fallatah E. The Role of Tranexamic Acid Use in Reduction Mammaplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2025 May 3;7:ojaf035. doi: 10.1093/asjof/ojaf035. eCollection 2025.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 40575008 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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2025P001908

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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