Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) require special attention in the perioperative period. This is due, in part, to the physical properties of their abnormal hemoglobin(s) but also to comorbidities associated with SCD (e.g., anemia, functional asplenia, end-organ damage). The risk is higher for certain forms of SCD/thalassemia.

SCD patients also have special needs with regard to chronic pain control that can present additional challenges in the postoperative period.

Hospitals that regularly treat patient with sickle cell disease may have perioperative protocols to follow. For those without such protocols, what follows is an adaptation of a protocol used at the University of Washington/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). As such, it should be used as a basis for understanding some of the basic perioperative concerns for this special population rather than a mandated order set.