Spinal Deformity clinical trials at UCSF

This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of topical tranexamic acid to reduce perioperative blood loss, reduction in postoperative drain output and allogenic transfusion requirements. The proposed study will be a prospective, randomized, double-blind (subject, surgeons, investigators, research coordinators) placebo-controlled study. Patients following high energy trauma who have sustained thoracic or lumbar spine fractures, dislocations or ligamentous injury with resultant instability requiring posterior spinal fusion will be enrolled for this study. Furthermore, patients undergoing elective complex deformity surgery will also be enrolled. Both populations of patients will be randomized into two groups. Group I will receive standard of care operative fixation with topical tranexamic acid intervention (test); Group II will receive standard of care operative fixation with normal saline (placebo) intervention. This study will have a 2-year follow-up and will consist of three periods: screening/enrollment phase up to 21 days from the day of injury to the day of randomization and operative intervention, an inpatient data collection period for 4 days postoperative, and then a follow-up period for 2-years postoperative (visits occurring at 2 week, 16 week, 1 year, and 2 year) time points.

As the population continues to age, the prevalence of spinal deformity surgery for older patients is increasing. Questions regarding the suitability of these patients to undergo large spinal procedures and whether the outcomes merit the risks involved are not well known.

The clinical, radiographic, and HRQL outcomes will be compared in operative and nonoperative adult spinal deformity patients.