Anaesthesia in sickle-cell states: a plea for simplicity.
505 patients with various haemoglobinopathies were given a general anaesthetic between January 1970 and February 1972. One patient with haemoglobin SC disease and one patient with sickle-cell trait (HbAS) died postoperatively. Four other patients who were sickling positive, but whose genotypes were unknown, died, one from sickle-cell crisis precipitated by haemorrhage.A simple anaesthetic technique together with good postoperative care can provide safe general anaesthesia for patients with sickle-cell states. A plea is made for simplicity in the anaesthetic management of these patients.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006445:Hemoglobin C Disease; D006453:Hemoglobinopathies; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013789:Thalassemia