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

The Effect of Tranexamic Acid on Drainage Volume and Time to Drain Removal in Reduction Mammaplasty Patients

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07131592
Enrollment
160
Registered
2025-08-20
Start date
2025-11-18
Completion date
2027-08-31
Last updated
2026-01-16

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Drain Output After Breast Reduction Surgery, Breast Reductions

Keywords

TXA, Tranexamic Acid, Breast Reduction, Postoperative Drainaige, Plastic Surgery, Randomized Controlled Trial, RCT

Brief summary

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

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.

Interventions

DRUGIV 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).

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.

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.

Sponsors

Massachusetts General Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Intervention model description

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

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

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

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Total drain output per breast per 24 hours post-surgery (mL) until drain removalFrom date of operation until drain removal up to 4 weeks.Drain outputs will be recorded separately for each breast twice daily until removal.
Time to drain removal (days)From date of operation until drain removal up to 4 weeks.Drains will be removed per standard protocol by trained staff if the output is ≤30 mL in a 24-hour period for two consecutive days. The time to drain removal will be recorded.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Infection RateFrom date of surgery until end of study (30 days postoperative).Rate of surgical site infections (superficial or deep) diagnosed based on CDC criteria during the postoperative period.
Hematoma RateFrom date of surgery until end of study (30 days postoperative).Rate of postoperative hematoma formation. Diagnosis will be based on physical examination and/or via imaging, if clinically indicated.
Wound Dehiscence RateFrom date of surgery until end of study (30 days postoperative).Rate of postoperative wound dehiscence identified clinically, including any spontaneous reopening of the surgical incision.
Change in drain fluid color from bloody to serous until drain removal assessed by daily observationFrom postoperative Day 1 until drain removal, up to 4 weeks after surgeryQualitative change in drain fluid from bloody to serous. Measured by daily observation by clinical staff until drain removal. Change will be recorded as transition from bloody to serous.
30-Day Readmission RateFrom date of surgery until end of study (30 days postoperative)Rate of patients readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of the index surgery, regardless of cause.
30-Day Revision RateFrom date of surgery until end of study (30 days postoperative).Rate of reoperation or revision procedures performed within 30 days postoperatively due to complications.
Patient-Reported Outcomes (BREAST-Q Breast Reduction Module)Preoperative before surgery, 7 days after and 30 days after surgery.The BREAST-Q Breast Reduction Module is a validated patient-reported outcome measure assessing satisfaction and quality of life following breast reduction surgery. Each subscale is scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction and/or better quality of life.
Length of Hospital StayFrom date of surgery until discharge from the hospital up to 4 weeks.Duration of inpatient stay postoperatively, measured in days from the date of surgery to the date of discharge.
Seroma RateFrom date of surgery until end of study (30 days postoperative).Rate of clinically evident seromas in the postoperative follow-up period. Diagnosis will be based on physical examination and/or ultrasound when clinically indicated.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026