Perioperative complications in patients with sickle cell disease. An orthopedic perspective

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head has been reported to occur in 19% to 31% of patients with sickle cell disease, with the condition often being bilateral. Current surgical options for these patients include various forms of arthrodesis, resection arthroplasty, osteotomy, and uncemented hip arthroplasty. Poor surgical outcome, coupled with frequent perioperative medical complications, makes the treatment of these patients very challenging. A case report of a 33-year-old black woman with a 21-year history of sickle cell disease who underwent hip arthroplasty and developed sickle chest syndrome is presented.