PREOPERATIVE INHALATION - AN AIRWAY CONCERN

Purpose: Cannabis Sativa (marijuana) may cause a variety of respirator y disorders including uvular oedema. This case illustrates that uvular oedema secondary to marijuana inhalation may cause a potentially seri ous postoperative clinical problem. Clinical features: A healthy 17-yr -old man who inhaled marijuana prior to general anaesthesia. In the re covery room, after an uneventful general anaesthetic acute uvular oede ma resulted in post operative airway obstruction and admission to hosp ital. The uvular oedema was treated successfully with dexamethasone.Co nclusion: Recent inhalation of marijuana before general anaesthesia ma y cause acute uvular oedema and post operative airway obstruction. The uvular oedema can be easily diagnosed and treated.