Synthetic Cannabinoid Use in the Trauma Patient: A Case Study

Area of Science:

• Trauma surgery
• Anesthesiology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Motor vehicle collisions can cause severe injuries, including vascular trauma.
• Substance use, such as cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids, can complicate emergency management.
• Oropharyngeal and carotid artery injuries require specialized surgical and anesthetic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case study on managing a trauma patient with oropharyngeal and carotid artery injuries.
• To emphasize the importance of understanding the effects of cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids in emergent surgical settings.
• To discuss anesthetic considerations for patients with substance use undergoing vascular repair.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a trauma patient.
• Review of pharmacologic and physiologic effects of cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids.
• Discussion of anesthetic management and surgical repair strategies.

Main Results:

• The patient sustained oropharyngeal and carotid artery injuries from a motor vehicle collision.
• Pre-accident use of cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids was reported, with erratic behavior noted.
• Successful emergent vascular repair was performed under anesthesia.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of trauma patients requires awareness of substance use, including cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids.
• Anesthetic management must account for the potential effects of these substances on patient physiology.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is vital for optimizing outcomes in complex trauma cases involving vascular injuries and substance use.