Portal vein thrombosis following laparoscopic surgery in a patient with sickle cell disease

We report a case of portal vein thrombosis following prolonged laparoscopic intervention in a patient with Sickle cell disease. The operation combined a laparoscopic splenectomy, cholecystectomy, appendectomy. Presentation was insidious with vague abdominal pain and persistent postoperative pyrexia. The literature is reviewed, possible pathogeneses are discussed in the light of currently available data, and a strategy is suggested to recognize, avoid, and prevent this rare but potentially lethal complication.