Marijuana Use and Complication Risk After Tibia Shaft Fracture Fixation.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between preoperative marijuana use and complications after tibia shaft fracture fixation. Retrospective cohort study. Two academic Level I trauma centers. Adults age ≥18 years who underwent tibia shaft fracture (OTA/AO 42) fixation from 2014 to 2022 and had a minimum 3 months postoperative follow-up were included. Patients were considered marijuana users if they had current self-reported marijuana use or a urine toxicology screen positive for cannabinoids documented at initial presentation. Bivariate statistics and multivariate regression were used to evaluate the effect of marijuana use on 90-day postoperative thromboembolic and surgical complications, unplanned readmissions, and emergency department visits. Complications related to fracture union were evaluated in patients with ≥6 months follow-up. Multivariate analysis controlled for tobacco use, open fracture, and American Society of Anesthesiologist class ≥3. Among 388 patients included in the study, the mean age was 37.6 years (range, 18-90), and most patients were men (66.5%). Ninety-six patients (25%) were identified as marijuana users. Marijuana users were significantly younger (30.5 years vs. 40 years, P < 0.001) and more likely to be men (79% vs. 62%, P = 0.002) and use tobacco currently (73% vs. 31%, P < 0.001) than nonusers. Marijuana users experienced higher rates of 90-day surgical complications (11.5% vs. 4.8%, P = 0.030) and deep infection (8.3% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.008) than nonusers. No significant difference was observed between groups in the rates of thromboembolic complications, nonunion, or delayed union ( P > 0.05). On multivariate analysis, marijuana use was not associated with odds of developing any 90-day surgical complication (odds ratios 2.01; 95% confidence intervals 0.83-4.84) or deep infection (odds ratios 2.97; 95% confidence interval 0.95-9.25). Preoperative marijuana use was not found to be associated with risk of thromboembolic, surgical, or fracture union-related complications in patients undergoing tibia shaft fracture fixation. Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.