Are Cannabis Users At Greater Risk Of Postoperative Complications? Here's What A New Study Says

A new retrospective study conducted by researchers from the University of Chicago found that patients with cannabis dependence are at risk of higher infection rates following knee and shoulder arthroscopy, reported Medical News.

The procedure is minimally invasive and includes inserting a small camera to diagnose and treat injury. However, researchers found that those with marijuana dependence who underwent the surgeries could face postoperative complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and infection.

"Marijuana has been gaining so much popularity, but it's a risk factor we aren't really catching," said Sarah Bhattacharjee, MD, a lead study author. "The higher infection rate found by this new study should raise a 'red flag' for patients and providers and should be discussed along with other risk factors before an arthroscopic procedure."

Bhattacharjee conducted the research while she was a medical student at the University of Chicago. These days, she works as a surgical resident in orthopedic and sports medicine at the University of Washington.

The Findings

The new findings, based on the national insurance claims database PearlDiver, were presented at the Scientific Forum of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2022. 

• Out of 1,861,892 knee and shoulder arthroscopy patients, 21,823 were cannabis dependant.
• Among those who were subjected to shoulder arthroscopy, the rates of infection grew to 1.7% from 0.7%, the DVT rate from 0.2% to 0.4%, and PE stayed at 0.2%.
• In patients who underwent knee arthroscopy group, the infection rates rose from 1.1% to 2.6%, the DVT rate increased to 0.3% from 0.2%, and PE hovered around 0.3%.

"There's so much information out there on smoking, alcohol, and other substances, but not on marijuana use," said Jason Strelzow, MD, study co-author and assistant Prof of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Chicago. "As providers and surgeons, we should be discussing marijuana use with our patients, something that we have traditionally shied away from."

Strelzow added that "similar or larger effects with more open or invasive procedures" are possible.

Interestingly, the new findings contradict prior research highlighting cannabis as helpful in preventing the spread and severity of COVID-19 as well congestion, sneezing and sinus pain.

Photo: Benzinga Edit, Source: Shutterstock