Medical and Surgical Complications of Sickle Cell Anemia

Ahmed Al-Salem is a consultant pediatric surgeon who for many years has been interested in sickle cell anemia and its complications. He has worked at Qatif Central Hospital and the Maternity and Children’s Hospital in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, an area known to have a high incidence of sickle cell anemia. Dr. Al-Salem has published more than 260 papers and written three books; 46 of his publications have been related to sickle cell anemia. Dr. Al-Salem received his medical degree (MBBS) from King Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia in 1981 and was top of his class.  He was awarded a certificate as one of the best graduates of the Colleges of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In 1985, he was awarded a prize by the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland as the best candidate in the Primary FRCSI Examination. He continued his training in general surgery and pediatric surgery and in 1987 he received his fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland. He is also a fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the International College of Surgeons. Dr. Al-Salem has served as a member of the Scientific Committee of the Saudi Board of Pediatric Surgery and chairman of the Training and Hospital Recognition Committee. He is also a member of the Arab Association of Pediatric Surgeons, the Asian Association of Pediatric Surgeons, the British Association of Pediatric Surgeons, the Examination Committee of the Saudi Board of Pediatric Surgery, and the Saudi Scientific Pediatric Surgery Association. He is on the editorial board of several journals and also a reviewer for several journals.

History of sickle cell anemia.- Genetics and pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia.- Variants of sickle cell anemia.- Clinical features of sickle cell anemia.- The spleen and sickle cell anemia.- Hepatobiliary complications of sickle cell anemia.- Acute chest syndrome and sickle cell anemia.- Musculoskeletal manifestations of sickle cell anemia.- Gastrointestinal complications of sickle cell anemia.- Leg ulcers in patients with sickle cell anemia.- The hand and foot syndrome in sickle cell anemia.- Acute appendicitis and sickle cell anemia.- Ophthalmological manifestations of sickle cell anemia.- Cardiovascular complications of sickle cell anemia.- Cerebrovascular complications of sickle cell anemia.- Renal complications of sickle cell anemia.- Priapism and sickle cell anemia.- Perioperative management of patients with sickle cell anemia.- Recent advances in the management of patients with sickle cell anemia.- Blood transfusion therapy for patients with sickle cell anemia.- Hydroxyurea treatment for sickle cell anemia.- Hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation for patients with sickle cell anemia.