Final answer:
Common abdominal surgical issues in children with sickle cell disease include splenic sequestration and gallstone-related complications such as cholelithiasis, potentially requiring surgical interventions like cholecystectomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The abdominal surgical issue that is common in children with sickle cell disease is splenic sequestration. Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells, causing them to become crescent-shaped, which can lead to blockage of blood flow in capillaries. This blockage can result in the spleen becoming enlarged and trapping the sickle-shaped cells, which can be life-threatening and may require surgical intervention.
Another potential complication related to the liver in pediatric sickle cell patients includes the risk of developing cholelithiasis, or gallstones, due to the increased breakdown of red blood cells leading to the accumulation of bilirubin. In some cases, it might necessitate a cholecystectomy, which is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. It's important to monitor sickle cell patients for signs of abdominal pain or distension which could indicate these surgical issues.