Surgical Procedures for Sickle Cell Disease
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For Treating Complications
Surgical procedures that may be necessary to treat complications of sickle cell disease include:
- Splenectomy —to remove a spleen destroyed by sickle cell disease or to try to prevent recurrent sickle cell crises (the evidence that this can help is still incomplete)
- Hip replacement —to treat a hip destroyed by avascular necrosis
- Gall bladder surgery —to remove a gall bladder that isn’t functioning properly
- Laser eye surgery—for complications affecting your vision
References:
Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 22nd ed. W.B. Saunders Company; 2003.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ .
Owusu-Ofori S, Riddington C. Splenectomy versus conservative management for acute sequestration crises in people with sickle cell disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2002;(4):CD003425.
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America website. Available at: http://www.sicklecelldisease.org/ .
Weiner CM. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine . 17th ed. New York, NY: McGraw – Hill; 2008.
Last reviewed June 2008 by Mark A. Best, MD, MPH, MBA
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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