Topical Tranexamic Acid Plus Bilateral Uterine Artery Ligation During Hemorrhagic Cesarean Delivery for Complete Placenta Previa: a Randomized Double-blind Controlled Trial

Placenta previa (PP) is an obstetric condition that is closely linked with massive obstetric hemorrhage with a varied incidence about once in every 200 live births. It is considered one of the causes of the increased need for blood transfusion and cesarean hysterectomy. PPH due to PP typically starts during cesarean section (CS) in the placental bed, at the lower uterine segment mostly after placental separation. Proceeding for cesarean hysterectomy can be the only effective line of management in spite of the associated high morbidity rate.

Various conservative measures have been developed to avoid hysterectomy and preserve fertility in patients with PP. Bilateral Uterine artery ligation (BUAL) is one of the reported surgical procedures carried out in these cases as it is easy and quick. It can be used alone or with adjunctive measures with a fair success rate. The aim is to reduce the blood supply to the uterus and to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.

Tranexamic acid is a lysine analog which acts as an antifibrinolytic via competitive inhibition of the binding of plasmin and plasminogen to fibrin. The rationale for its use in the reduction of blood loss depending on the implication of the coagulation and fibrinolysis processes implicated in the control of PPH. However, concerns about possible thromboembolic events with parenteral administration of TA have stimulated increasing interest in its topical use.