Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) on Surgical floor

Surgical complications in Sickle Cell disease Cholelithiasis (most common) Priapism (acute emergency) Avascular necrosis of femoral head (needing THR) Pain crisis Hand-foot syndrome Leg ulcers

Cholelithiasis is a well known entity in SCD Prevalence ranges from 30-70% depending upon age Chance of developing gallstones in SCD patients increases with age The chance for developing gallstones increases from 15% if the patient is aged <10 years to 50% when he/she reaches 22 years of age Therefore it should be top differential in SCD presenting with abdominal pain

These patients are at high risk of developing gall stone complications In SCD, elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy with standard approach is recommended even in asymptomatic patients Annual ultrasound is advised for gall stones detection in pediatric age ERCP is warranted in patients with dilated CBD, raised direct bilirubin >5mg/L, acute cholecystitis with jaundice, pancreatitis, abnormal USG findings

Thank you