Use of cannabinoids for acute postoperative pain

Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim (Engl Ed). 2024 Oct;71(8):601-607. doi: 10.1016/j.redare.2024.05.004. Epub 2024 May 25.

Abstract

Doubts about the efficacy of medicinal cannabis in the treatment of acute postoperative pain are well justified, at least in light of the information gathered from Google Scholar, Clinical Trials, PubMed, and Cochrane databases.The conflation of cannabis and cannabinoids engenders not only normative but also medical implications. Despite cannabinoids having evinced their efficacy in the treatment of various pathologies, they have yet to demonstrate such in the context of acute postoperative pain. The burgeoning corpus of research on this subject does instill a modicum of hope in this regard; nevertheless, the manifold methodological approaches employed obfuscate the prospect of reaching unequivocal conclusions.Given the current status of this matter, this article abstains from making a definitive pronouncement either in favor of or against the role of pharmaceuticals incorporating cannabinoid compounds in the management of acute postoperative pain.

Keywords: Acute pain; Cannabinoid; Cannabinoides; Dolor agudo; Dolor postoperatorio; Postoperative pain.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Pain* / drug therapy
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Cannabinoids* / pharmacology
  • Cannabinoids* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Medical Marijuana / therapeutic use
  • Postoperative Pain* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Cannabinoids
  • Medical Marijuana
  • Analgesics