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
—to treat a hip destroyed by avascular necrosis
—to remove a gallbladder that isn’t functioning properly
Laser eye surgery—for complications affecting your vision
Complications and treatments. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/treatments.html. Updated August 31, 2016. Accessed December 13, 2016.
How is sickle cell disease treated?
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
website. Available at:
Updated August 2, 2016. Accessed December 13, 2016.
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. Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at:
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sickle-cell-anemia.html. Updated September 2012. Accessed July 1, 2013.
Last reviewed December 2016 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
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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