From 1979 to 1990 37 children with sickle cell disease underwent surgery for cholelithiasis. Mean age was 11,3 years. Twenty-four children had a history of recurrent abdominal pain; 8 of them were admitted for an acute gallstone complication. In 9 cases the stones were detected by systematic echography. The incidence of gallstones increasing with age, the rate of complications, the frequent resolution of recurrent abdominal pain after cholecystectomy justify elective surgery at the time of diagnostic of the stones. A transfusion preparation considerably reduces the risk of post-operative complications.