A review of 328 facial trauma patients found cannabis-positive patients had higher injury severity scores but similar surgical complication rates and hospital stays compared to non-users.
Trauma surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and emergency medicine physicians.
What the researchers found
Cannabis-positive patients (27.4%) had significantly higher Injury Severity Scores than cannabis-negative patients. Despite more severe injuries, cannabis-positive patients had comparable surgical complication rates, length of stay, and 30-day readmission rates. Cannabis was the most common drug detected after alcohol.
Why it matters
Surgeons may wonder whether cannabis use affects surgical outcomes in trauma patients. This study suggests that despite arriving with more severe injuries (possibly due to risk-taking behavior), cannabis-positive patients do not have worse perioperative outcomes.
The numbers in context
328 patients; 27.4% cannabis-positive; higher ISS in cannabis group; similar complication rates, LOS, and readmission between groups.
How the study worked
Retrospective chart review of 328 facial trauma patients at a Level I trauma center. Toxicology screening for cannabis, alcohol, and other substances. Outcomes: surgical complications, length of stay, ICU admission, readmission.
What this study cannot tell us
Retrospective single-center study. Toxicology only shows recent use, not acute intoxication level. Higher ISS in cannabis group introduces confounding. Small sample may miss rare complications.
How to read the evidence
Retrospective single-center study with reasonable sample size, but confounders and lack of dose information limit conclusions.
When this study was published
2025 retrospective analysis at a Level I trauma center.
The bigger picture
As cannabis use increases, understanding its impact on surgical outcomes is essential for trauma care. This finding that cannabis-positive patients fare similarly despite worse injuries may reflect either cannabis's limited surgical impact or confounding by age and fitness.
Questions still open
- Does acute THC intoxication at the time of trauma affect anesthesia management?
- Why do cannabis users present with more severe facial trauma?
Common questions
Does cannabis use affect surgery outcomes after trauma?
Do cannabis users get worse injuries?
Read the original research
Cannabis-related facial trauma: a 10-year review of facial trauma in Victoria, Australia.
Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, 140(6), 648-655
Citation
Tran, Vincent; Qiu, Michael; Tadakamadla, Santosh Kumar; Lee, Kai. (2025). Cannabis-related facial trauma: a 10-year review of facial trauma in Victoria, Australia.. Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology and oral radiology, 140(6), 648-655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oooo.2025.06.007