Dr Brianna Castillo
The use of adjunctive topical tranexamic acid (TXA) showed benefits in significantly reducing postoperative bleeding with second intention healing, or allowing wounds to heal naturally without sutures, following Mohs micrographic surgery, in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.
The findings suggest that "topical TXA application is an inexpensive and easy topical preventative measure to consider adding to the wound care of granulating defects in the setting of Mohs micrographic surgery," first author Brianna Castillo, MD, chief dermatology resident at the University of Missouri, Columbia, told Medscape Medical News.
The study results were presented May 12 at the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) 2022 Annual Meeting.
In wound healing by second intent after Mohs micrographic surgery, postoperative bleeding is common and can lead to patient distress, as well as return visits or emergency care, resulting in additional healthcare costs, Castillo said.
Topical TXA, an antifibrinolytic, synthetic lysine analogue that prevents blood clots from breaking down, is commonly used in surgical settings including cardiothoracic, orthopedic, gynecologic, oral, and trauma surgery, showing no increased risk of thrombotic events. However, its use is relatively new in dermatology.
TXA is only approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as an oral formulation for menorrhagia
