Tranexamic acid reduces bleeding during percutaneous nephrolithotomy

摘要

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a commonly used management strategy for upper urinary tract calculi; however, it is associated with adverse effects including fever, UTI, septicaemia and bleeding. Although bleeding associated with PCNL is usually minor, the procedure still carries a transfusion risk of between 2% and 12%, depending on the stone size and location and the number of dilated tracts. A randomized controlled trial recently published in the Journal of Urology has investigated the use of the antifibrinolytic tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss during PCNL.