Topical Tranexamic Acid and Chest Masculinization Surgeries—Impact on Postoperative Hematoma Incidence

Abstract

Introduction

Postoperative hematoma requiring intervention occurs more frequently in chest masculinization surgeries than in other types of breast surgeries, with incidences ranging from 0.7% to 13.2% per patient. Although there is increasing evidence that topically applied tranexamic acid (TXA) effectively reduces postoperative bleeding in breast surgeries, its impact on masculinization surgeries is understudied.

Aims

Examining the significance of topical TXA in reducing postoperative hematoma in chest masculinization surgeries.

Methods

This retrospective cohort comprises female-to-male transgender and non-binary patients who underwent chest masculinization at Helsinki or Tampere University hospitals between 2018 and 2024. Topical TXA (20 mg/ml, 25 ml per breast) was incorporated into routine use in October 2022, replacing the previous practices; Helsinki mainly operated without TXA, whereas Tampere routinely used intravenous (i.v.) TXA.

Results

A total of 198 patients undergoing chest masculinization surgery were included. Among them, 9 (4.5%) major hematomas occurred. The need for reoperation due to postoperative hematoma was lower in the topical TXA (3.2%, 2 out of 63 patients) and i.v. TXA (3.4%, 2 out of 58 patients) groups compared to the non-TXA group (6.5%, 5 out of 77 patients). Subpectoral incisions (71.2%, 141 patients) resulted in a 5.0% hematoma rate, whereas periareolar incisions (28.8%, 57 cases) had a 3.5% hematoma rate.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that topical and i.v. TXA effectively reduce postoperative bleeding in chest masculinization surgeries, with similar outcomes between the 2 methods. Albeit our results lack statistical significance and they support the potential benefit of prophylactic TXA use in hematoma reduction.