A comparison of two transfusion regimens in the perioperative management of children with sickle cell disease undergoing adenotonsillectomy

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy and chronic tonsillitis are common findings in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Various preoperative transfusion regimens have been suggested to reduce the population of sickle erythrocytes and correct the anemia, ranging from conservative (correcting the anemia) to aggressive (lowering the level of HbS to less than 30%). A total of 39 patients with SCD were included in the study. They were divided into 2 groups. Fourteen patients in group 1 were assigned aggressive exchange transfusion and 25 patients in group 2 were assigned a conservative (simple) transfusion. The 2 groups were compared for possible operative and postoperative complications. Thirty percent of patients in both groups had postoperative complications. They ranged from mild local infection to acute chest syndrome. Simple transfusion was not associated with higher incidence of complications and resulted in only one-third as many transfusion requirements.