Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

People with sickle cell disease (SCD) require special attention in the perioperative period because their abnormal hemoglobin(s) cause structural changes in their red blood cells during stressful physiologic conditions that lead to several comorbidities (e.g., acute vaso-occlusive painful episodes, chronic hemolytic anemia, functional asplenia, end-organ damage, and chronic SCD pain). The preoperative evaluation focuses on identifying comorbidities and determining their appropriate management, while the perioperative period focuses on optimizing hemoglobin levels, electrolytes, and pain management to avoid postoperative SCD-related complications.