What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: THC, Endocannabinoid.

A case report links postoperative THC vaping to thumb replant failure

Q: What did this Case Study find?

In this *case report*, vascular compromise followed postoperative *THC* vaping, and the replanted thumb ultimately failed.

Q: Where was this research published?

Published in Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open on October 14, 2026.

Digital Replant Failure Following Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol Vaping: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open • October 14, 2026 • Case Study • Highly Relevant

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AI Summary

This abstract-based summary describes a case report and literature review asking whether postoperative THC vaping may affect blood flow after digital replantation. A 29-year-old man with a history of daily THC vaping had an initially successful thumb replantation. After he vaped THC postoperatively, vascular compromise developed and the replant failed. A later toe-to-thumb transfer was successful, though it required re-exploration for a vascular crisis.

The authors propose that THC-related effects involving CB1 and CB2 receptors may contribute to vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation, and clotting during the vulnerable period after surgery. The report raises concern about a possible association, but a single case cannot establish that vaping caused the replant failure or determine how often this occurs. The abstract provides no comparative or quantitative results, and its literature review findings are not detailed; larger studies would be needed to assess the risk.

💡 Key Findings

In this case report, vascular compromise followed postoperative THC vaping, and the replanted thumb ultimately failed.

High

95%

A later toe-to-thumb transfer was successful but required re-exploration for a vascular crisis.

High

95%

The case raises a possible link between postoperative THC exposure and microvascular failure, but cannot establish causation or quantify risk.

High

98%

📄 Original Abstract

Digital replantation outcomes critically rely on microvascular integrity. Although cigarette smoking is well-known to impair replant survival, the vascular impact of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) vaping remains poorly defined. We report the case of a 29-year-old man with a 6-year history of daily THC vaping who sustained an avulsion injury to the right thumb. The patient initially underwent successful thumb replantation and was instructed to abstain from postoperative vaping. Ninety-six hours after surgery, he vaporized 5 puffs of THC; within 48 hours, vascular compromise developed, culminating in total replant failure. A toe-to-thumb transfer with the second digit was subsequently performed successfully, although it required re-exploration for a vascular crisis. This case underscores the potential for catastrophic microvascular failure associated with postoperative THC vaping and highlights the necessity of early, explicit patient counseling on cannabis abstinence after replantation. THC activates CB1 and CB2 receptors in vascular endothelial cells, triggering vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation, and prothrombotic cascades. Even a brief postoperative exposure may precipitate thrombosis during the critical period of microvascular adaptation. The increasing legalization and prevalence of THC vaping, especially among young adults, makes perioperative cannabis exposure an important risk factor in replantation surgery.