Surgical management in sicklemia.

A review of the history and pathophysiology of sickle cell disease is given. The clinical types (crises) are discussed along with their relationship to surgical occurrences, both elective and emergency. Specifics of perioperative management are discussed and the cardinal features of importance are enumerated. A retrospective study of sickle cell disease in a community hospital is presented, outlining the surgical experience over a ten-year period.