Is the Preoperative Preparation of Sickle Cell Patients Optimal: Retrospective Assessment of Practices and Post-operative Complications in a Cohort of Children Followed at Hôpital Universitaire Des Enfants Reine Fabiola (HUDERF) and Who Have Been Managed According Local Guidelines Including Transfusion or Exchange Transfusion Before Surgery

Children with sickle cell disease systematically receive a transfusion 2 to 5 days before scheduled surgery (with the exception of minor surgeries) in order to avoid post-operative complications of which the vaso-occlusive crisis and acute thoracic syndrome are the most frequent.

This standardized preoperative protocol was established on the basis of the results of large-scale randomized studies, most of which date back over ten years, and which have demonstrated the beneficial effects of transfusion (or transfusion exchange) preoperatively. To date, several other more recent studies (but not controlled) have questioned this type of systematic management.

The purpose of this study is to review retrospectively data of sickle cell children who have undergone elective surgery at the Huderf in the last ten years and to identify the eventual complications encountered. The most common procedures in these patients are: tonsillectomy with or without associated adenoids, splenectomy and cholecystectomy.

General data on sickle cell disease (history, genotype, G6PD deficiency, biology and previous complications), pre-surgical preparation, surgery and post surgical management and complications will be collected and analyzed.

This retrospective analysis will allow an objective assessment of the current quality of care and will provide useful data to improve patient management.