VRO surgery (i.e., varus rotational osteotomy) is conducted on many cerebral palsy patients to maintain a level pelvis, a balanced spine, and mobile pain free hips. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the medication, EACA, can be effective in decreasing blood loss and the transfusion requirements after the surgery. The factors of blood loss and transfusion requirements can impact the length of hospital stay and can result in other complications. Such surgery is extremely common in patients with cerebral palsy, and reducing these complications is a significant benefit to people with cerebral palsy.

Initial Observations

• Individuals with CP often have hip problems that prevent them from walking easily.
• A surgery has been used to correct this hip problem; however, this surgery can cause excess bleeding.
• There is a drug, EACA, that may be able to combat this excess bleeding.

Core Questions

• Does EACA reduce during-surgery blood loss?
• Does EACA decrease post-surgery blood loss and the need for transfusions?
• Does EACA reduce hospital stay and decrease complication rate?

Post Research Results

• As a result of study,  Amicar (aminocaproid acid) is no longer used during hip surgery for children with CP to decrease blood loss and, instead, TXA (tranexamic acid) is used.

Research Team

• Dr. David Scher MD, Dr. Ishaan Swarup MD, Dr Emily Dodwell MD MPH FRCSC