by Scholten A

For Treating Complications

Surgery may be needed to treat problems from sickle cell disease. This may be:

  • Splenectomy—to remove a damaged spleen or try to prevent repeat sickle cell crises
  • Hip replacement—to treat a hip destroyed by lack of blood flow
  • Cholecystectomy —to remove a gallbladder that does not function well
  • Laser eye surgery—for vision problems

References

Complications and treatments. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/treatments.html. Accessed January 29, 2021.

How is sickle cell disease treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sca/treatment. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Pinto VM, Balocco M, et al. Sickle cell disease: a review for the internist. Intern Emerg Med. 2019;14(7):1051-1064.

Sickle cell disease. Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sickle-cell-anemia.html. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Sickle cell disease in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/sickle-cell-disease-in-adults-and-adolescents. Accessed March 3, 2021.

Sickle cell disease in infants and children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/sickle-cell-disease-in-infants-and-children. Accessed March 3, 2021.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Marcin Chwistek, MD
  • Review Date: 03/2020
  • Update Date: 03/05/2021