Marijuana and Anesthesia

Understanding Marijuana Use Before Surgery

Before undergoing surgery, it is important to understand the potential impact of marijuana use on surgical risks and recovery. Patients who use marijuana should disclose this information to their healthcare providers to ensure appropriate care planning and to prevent complications that may arise during or after surgery.

Impact on Surgical Risks

Marijuana use before surgery can increase the risk of complications. Smoking marijuana shortly before a surgical procedure, in particular, has been found to elevate the risk of heart attack during or after surgery. To mitigate this risk, guidelines recommend delaying elective surgery until at least two hours after the patient's last use of marijuana [1].

Effects on Recovery

Regular cannabis users may experience more pain and nausea after surgery compared to non-users. This may necessitate the use of additional medication to manage discomfort. However, opioids should only be considered after other medications have been explored as alternatives [1].

It is worth noting that patients who regularly use cannabis, especially frequent users, may experience withdrawal symptoms after surgery. However, the risk of withdrawal is believed to be minimal for those using products containing only CBD. It is important to communicate any history of cannabis use to the surgeon's office prior to the procedure to ensure appropriate evaluation and instructions from the anesthesiologist's office. Anesthesiologists will use this information solely for surgical and recovery planning, without judgment.

Understanding the potential effects of marijuana use before surgery is crucial for patients and healthcare providers alike. By providing accurate and complete information about marijuana use, patients can receive the best possible care while minimizing the risks and complications associated with surgery.

Risks of Using Marijuana Before Surgery

Using marijuana before surgery can pose several risks and potential complications. It's important for patients and healthcare providers to be aware of these risks to ensure safe and effective surgical outcomes.

Increased Risk of Complications

Marijuana use before surgery can increase the risk of complications. The active compounds in marijuana, particularly tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can affect the cardiovascular system, raising heart rate and lowering blood pressure. This can be particularly serious in patients with pre-existing heart disease, potentially leading to ischemia (lack of blood supply) to the heart muscle. To minimize these risks, guidelines advise physicians to delay elective surgery until at least two hours after the patient's last use of marijuana.

Heart Health Concerns

Smoking marijuana shortly before surgery could increase the patient's risk of suffering a heart attack during or after surgery. This is due to the cardiovascular effects of marijuana, such as increased heart rate and changes in blood pressure. It is crucial for patients to disclose their marijuana use to their healthcare providers before surgery to ensure appropriate precautions are taken [2].

Pain Management Challenges

Marijuana use before surgery can also pose challenges for postoperative pain management. The analgesic properties of marijuana may interfere with the effectiveness of traditional pain medications used after surgery. It's important for healthcare providers to be aware of a patient's marijuana use to appropriately adjust pain management strategies postoperatively. Patients should communicate their marijuana use to their healthcare providers to ensure effective pain control during the recovery process.

It's worth noting that cannabis users may experience withdrawal symptoms after surgery, especially if they are frequent users. However, minimal risk of withdrawal is suggested for those using products containing only CBD.

Understanding the risks associated with marijuana use before surgery allows healthcare providers to tailor anesthesia and pain management strategies to mitigate potential complications. Open and honest communication between patients and healthcare providers is essential to ensure safe and effective surgical outcomes. If you're interested in learning more about the effects of marijuana on anesthesia, continue reading our section on Anesthesia and Marijuana Use.

Anesthesia and Marijuana Use

When it comes to administering anesthesia to individuals who use marijuana, there are certain considerations that need to be taken into account. Let's explore the impact of marijuana use on anesthesia dose requirements and potential complications during the recovery process.

Anesthesia Dose Requirements

Regular users of marijuana generally require larger doses of anesthesia medicines to achieve the same degree of sedation compared to non-users. For example, regular marijuana users (daily to weekly) may need over three times more propofol, a commonly used anesthesia medication, to achieve adequate sedation for procedures like endoscopies [2].

The higher anesthesia dose required for regular marijuana users can lead to an increased risk of complications. It's important for anesthesiologists to be aware of a patient's marijuana use history to ensure the appropriate amount of anesthesia is administered.

Complications and Recovery

Marijuana use before surgery can have various effects on the body, which can impact the recovery process. Inhaled marijuana can affect the lungs, increase phlegm, coughing, wheezing, and the risk of respiratory infections. These factors can potentially lead to breathing problems during anesthesia. Additionally, regular marijuana users may experience increased postoperative pain, which can result in higher opioid use during and after surgery, placing them at a higher risk for opioid use disorder.

Furthermore, marijuana use before surgery can increase the risk of complications, particularly for individuals with heart disease. Marijuana can raise heart rate and lower blood pressure, potentially leading to ischemia, which is a lack of blood supply to the heart muscle. This underscores the importance of disclosing marijuana use to anesthesiologists to ensure appropriate precautions are taken.

To minimize the risks associated with marijuana use and anesthesia, it is recommended that regardless of how often one usually uses marijuana, it should be completely avoided on the day of surgery. This includes abstaining from smoking, inhaling, or consuming edible marijuana. It is important to follow preoperative fasting guidelines, which typically prohibit solid food for six to eight hours before anesthesia to prevent complications like aspiration pneumonia. Clear and open communication between patients and their healthcare providers, including anesthesiologists, is essential to ensure safe and effective anesthesia care.

Understanding the implications of marijuana use on anesthesia dose requirements and potential complications is crucial for providing optimal care to individuals who use marijuana. By considering these factors, anesthesiologists can tailor anesthesia strategies and precautions to meet the unique needs of patients who have used marijuana prior to surgery.

Preoperative Precautions for Marijuana Users

Before undergoing surgery, individuals who use marijuana need to be aware of the potential effects it can have on anesthesia and their surgical outcome. It is crucial for both patients and anesthesiologists to take certain precautions to ensure a safe and successful surgery. Here are some recommendations for patients and guidelines for anesthesiologists when dealing with marijuana users.

Recommendations for Patients

Patients who regularly use marijuana should inform their surgeon's office well in advance of the scheduled surgery. This information is essential for the anesthesiologist to evaluate and plan for the surgery and recovery process without judgment. Some key recommendations for patients include:

1. Disclose Marijuana Use: It is important to openly communicate with your healthcare team about your marijuana use, including the frequency and method of consumption. This information will help the anesthesiologist determine the appropriate anesthesia dosage and take necessary precautions during surgery.
2. Follow Instructions: Follow any preoperative instructions provided by your surgeon's office or the anesthesiologist's office. This may include specific guidelines regarding marijuana use before surgery, such as refraining from using cannabis products within 72 hours of general anesthesia.
3. Be Honest About Timing: Be honest about the timing of your marijuana use leading up to surgery. Smoking marijuana shortly before surgery can increase the risk of complications, such as a heart attack during or after surgery. Guidelines advise physicians to delay elective surgery until at least two hours after the patient's last use of marijuana.
4. Follow Pain Management Recommendations: Regular cannabis users may experience increased pain and nausea after surgery compared to non-users. It is important to communicate any discomfort to your healthcare team so that appropriate pain management strategies can be implemented. Opioids may be considered, but only after other medications have been tried first.

Guidelines for Anesthesiologists

Anesthesiologists play a critical role in ensuring patient safety and optimal outcomes during surgery. When dealing with marijuana users, they need to be aware of potential risks and adjust their approach accordingly. Here are some guidelines for anesthesiologists:

1. Evaluate and Plan: Anesthesiologists should evaluate patients who regularly use cannabis to determine the appropriate anesthesia plan. This evaluation helps in understanding the patient's unique needs and managing any potential complications that may arise during surgery.
2. Anesthesia Dose Adjustments: Marijuana use may impact the dose requirements for anesthesia. Anesthesiologists should carefully consider the patient's marijuana use and adjust the dosage accordingly to achieve optimal anesthesia depth and minimize any risks or adverse effects.
3. Communication and Non-Judgmental Attitude: Anesthesiologists should establish open lines of communication with patients who use marijuana. It is important to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where patients feel comfortable discussing their marijuana use. This allows for better care planning and helps prevent complications that may require hospital admission or readmission after surgery [1].
4. Stay Informed: Anesthesiologists should stay up-to-date with changing regulations and guidelines regarding marijuana use. This knowledge ensures that they are equipped with the latest information to provide the best possible care to patients who use marijuana before surgery.

By following these recommendations and guidelines, both patients and anesthesiologists can work together to minimize potential risks and ensure a safe surgical experience for individuals who use marijuana. Open and transparent communication is key to providing appropriate care and optimizing outcomes during and after surgery.

Cannabis Products and Anesthesia

When it comes to the use of cannabis products and anesthesia, it's essential to understand the types of cannabis products and their potential effects on anesthesia. As marijuana continues to gain popularity, it's crucial to address the implications of its use in the context of medical procedures.

Types of Cannabis Products

Cannabis products come in various forms, each with its own method of consumption. Some common types of cannabis products include:

1. Smokable Marijuana: This includes dried marijuana flowers that are typically smoked in joints, pipes, or bongs. It is the most traditional method of consumption.
2. Edibles: Edibles are cannabis-infused food products, such as brownies, cookies, candies, and beverages. These products contain THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, which can produce potent and long-lasting effects.
3. Vaping: Vaporizing cannabis involves heating the plant material or concentrated oil at a lower temperature, producing a vapor that is inhaled. This method is often perceived as a safer alternative to smoking.
4. Topicals: Cannabis-infused lotions, balms, and oils can be applied topically to provide localized relief, such as for muscle aches or skin conditions. These products are not typically associated with psychoactive effects.

Potential Effects on Anesthesia

The use of cannabis products before surgery can have significant implications for anesthesia. It is important for patients to inform their healthcare providers about any cannabis product use, as it can impact the administration and effectiveness of anesthesia.

1. Anesthesia Dose Requirements: Regular users of marijuana may require larger doses of anesthesia medicines to achieve the same level of sedation compared to non-users. For example, regular marijuana users may need over three times the amount of propofol, a common anesthetic, to achieve adequate sedation for certain procedures [2]. This is important for anesthesiologists to know in order to provide safe and effective care.
2. Complications and Recovery: The use of cannabis products before surgery can increase the risk of complications and pose challenges during the recovery process. Smoking marijuana shortly before surgery may elevate the risk of heart attacks during or after the procedure. To mitigate this risk, guidelines recommend delaying elective surgery until at least two hours after the patient's last use of marijuana. Inhaled marijuana can also affect the lungs, potentially leading to breathing problems during anesthesia. Additionally, regular marijuana users may experience increased postoperative pain, requiring higher opioid use during and after surgery, which puts them at risk for opioid use disorder.

Considering the potential effects of cannabis products on anesthesia, it is recommended that patients completely avoid marijuana use on the day of surgery, including smoking, inhaling, or consuming edibles. This is especially important as fasting guidelines before anesthesia typically prohibit solid food for a specific period of time to prevent complications like aspiration pneumonia [2].

Open and honest communication between patients and their anesthesiologists is crucial to ensure the safest and most effective anesthesia care. By providing accurate information about cannabis product use, healthcare professionals can make informed decisions and tailor anesthesia protocols to individual patients' needs.

Best Practices for Anesthesia Care

When it comes to providing anesthesia care for patients who use marijuana or other cannabis products, there are certain best practices that anesthesiologists follow to ensure the safety and well-being of the patients. Two key aspects of anesthesia care that require attention are patient communication and anesthesiologist preparation.

Patient Communication

Clear and open communication between patients and healthcare providers is essential before surgery. Patients should inform their surgeon's office ahead of time if they regularly use cannabis or marijuana, so they can be connected with someone from the anesthesiologist's office for evaluation and instructions. This information is crucial for the anesthesiologist to plan for surgery and recovery without judgment.

Patients need to be transparent about their cannabis use, including the type of cannabis products used, the route of ingestion, and the frequency and duration of use. This information helps the anesthesiologist gauge the potential for acute intoxication, tolerance, or withdrawal. By sharing this information, patients allow the anesthesiologist to make informed decisions and provide appropriate care.

Anesthesiologist Preparation

Anesthesiologists play a crucial role in ensuring patient safety during surgery. They need to be aware of a patient's use of marijuana or other cannabis products as it could impact the patient's surgical risks and recovery. Therefore, anesthesiologists recommend that patients avoid marijuana use on the day of surgery, including smoking, inhaling, or consuming edible marijuana. This is due to the fasting guidelines before anesthesia and the potential complications associated with marijuana use close to anesthesia, such as increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and potential heart attacks, especially in patients with heart disease [2].

Anesthesiologists should query patients about their cannabis product use during the preoperative evaluation, paying specific attention to the most recent use, overall duration and frequency of use, and the type of cannabis product used. This information helps the anesthesiologist assess the potential for acute intoxication, tolerance, or withdrawal. By gathering these details, the anesthesiologist can tailor the anesthesia plan and take necessary precautions to ensure safe anesthesia administration [4].

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has been advocating for medical studies on marijuana to better understand its effects on surgical procedures and anesthesia. Accurate information about marijuana use is crucial for anesthesiologists to plan and deliver safe anesthesia care. As research in this area continues to evolve, anesthesiologists remain committed to staying informed and adapting their practices accordingly to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

By maintaining effective patient communication and staying well-prepared, anesthesiologists can provide the highest quality anesthesia care for patients who use marijuana or other cannabis products. This collaborative approach helps create a safe and successful surgical experience for individuals with varying medical histories and cannabis usage patterns.

References

[1]: https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/preparing-for-surgery/risks/cannabis-surgery-made-moment/‍

[2]: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/coming-clean-your-anesthesiologist-needs-to-know-about-marijuana-use-before-surgery-2020011518642

‍[3]: https://www.facs.org/for-patients/preparing-for-surgery/marijuana-and-surgery/

‍[4]: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6650211/