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