Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42080438›Full record

SynthesisOtolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery2026

The Effectiveness of Tranexamic Acid in Pediatric Posttonsillectomy Hemorrhage (A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis).

Maimuna S Ahmad, Faisal Alosamey, Kimberly Luu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Maimuna S AhmadDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4872-8220
Faisal AlosameyDivision of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
Kimberly LuuDivision of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo systematically review the literature regarding the effectiveness of tranexamic acid (TXA) in the management of pediatric post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH). DATA SOURCES: Comprehensive searches across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were conducted through December 2024 in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. REVIEW

methodsStudies evaluating TXA (any route) for PTH in children aged 2 to 18 years were reviewed. Study characteristics, patient demographics, tonsillectomy technique, postoperative day on presentation, patient exam, route of TXA administration, and dosage were extracted. The primary outcome of interest was the rate of reoperation for hemostasis; secondary outcomes of interest included need for blood transfusion and adverse effects.

resultsEight studies (n = 801) met inclusion criteria. TXA administration was associated with a significant reduction in reoperation rates for hemostasis (pooled RR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.49-0.78), with no significant difference between routes of administration. There was no statistically significant difference in transfusion risk (RR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.26-9.45). Across all studies, no adverse effects attributable to TXA were reported.

conclusionTXA use in managing pediatric PTH is associated with a significant reduction in reoperation rates, with both intravenous and nebulized formulations demonstrating similar effectiveness. Nebulized TXA offers practical advantages in pediatric patients and provides potential targeted oropharyngeal delivery. The available evidence is limited by retrospective study designs, small sample sizes, and risk of bias. These findings support the need for prospective studies to standardize assessment and treatment algorithms, optimize management, inform clinical practice guidelines. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3:

Indexed as

Antifibrinolytic AgentsPostoperative HemorrhageTonsillectomyTranexamic AcidAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolHumansTreatment OutcomeAntifibrinolytic AgentsTranexamic Acidpediatricposttonsillectomy hemorrhagePTHsystematic reviewtranexamic acidTXA

Identifiers

PMID42080438
PMCPMC13418064

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.