Bone marrow Aspirate Collection

The bone marrow harvest can be carried out in any regular hospital operating room, under twilight sedation and using local anesthesia at the insertion site. It involves little risk and minimal discomfort.

While the patient is under anesthesia, a needle is inserted into the cavity of the hip bone or "iliac crest" where a large quantity of bone marrow is located. The bone marrow a thick, red liquid - is extracted with a needle and syringe. More than one insertion into the on the hip may be required to extract the requisite amount of bone marrow. There are no surgical incisions or stitches involved - only skin punctures where the needle was inserted.

When the sedation wears off, the patient may feel some discomfort at the harvest site. The pain will be similar to that associated with a fall onto the hip and can usually be controlled with medication. Patient will need to be on bed rest for a few hours post collection procedure. Aside from fatigue, minor discomfort, mild pain and stiffness the other risks although uncommon include minor blood loss and infection at the insertion site.