Bone Marrow Aspiration

Stem Cell Collection Procedure – Bone Marrow Aspiration

Bone marrow is the soft, spongy substance that fills the inner cavities of bones. It is where blood is produced.

Tiny spaces in the bone marrow hold blood and stem cells, the primitive cells that are able to grow into various types of blood cells. During a bone marrow aspiration, a small portion of your bone marrow is collected for use in your stromal cell treatment.

Stromal Cell Treatments use stromal cells which are generally harvested from the bone marrow, to preserve, repair or enhance functions of the target organ.

The procedure is done by the Institute of Personalized Molecular Medicine (IPMM) Hematologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs at the IPMM-Regenerative Medicine Clinic. It takes about one and a half (1 ½) hours from preparation to recovery.

Scheduling

Once you agree to avail of the program, the IPMM Nurse will do an assessment and list all the medications you are taking or have taken within the last seven (7) days.

If you are taking blood thinners or anti-coagulants, the schedule of the procedure may be pushed to a later date.

After the assessment of the IPMM Nurse, you will be scheduled to come to the IPMM-Regenerative Medicine Clinic.   

How will you prepare for bone marrow aspiration?

• There are no diet restrictions

-          Eat and drink as usual.

-          Take usual medications on the collection day.

• Do not take anticoagulants. Aspirin and anticoagulants increase the risk of bleeding and bruising.

If you are taking these, you should contact the doctor managing these medications to see if these can be safely stopped prior to the collection.

• Do not take herbal supplements

Herbal substances such as Gingko Biloba should be stopped two weeks prior to bone marrow aspiration.

• Identification of known allergies

You should advise the nurse of allergies to latex (natural rubber latex) and lidocaine (anesthetic drug) as well as any history of taking anticoagulants, prior to appointment.

• Wear comfortable clothing.

What happens on the day of the stem cell collection?

• You will be asked to come at least fifteen (15) minutes before the procedure.
• The IPMM Nurse will do the initial assessment of your condition.
• The IPMM Hematologist will explain the procedure and the contents of the informed consent.
• You will be asked to sign the informed consent form.

Signing the informed consent form means you understanding the procedure, including the risks and complications of having and not having it done. This also means that you agree to have your stem cells collected.

How is the bone marrow collected?

1. When you are taken into the procedure room, you will be placed on a prone position.
2. Local anesthesia is applied on the puncture site.

Local anesthesia is a shot of medicine put into your skin to make you comfortable during the procedure. It is used to numb the area and dull your pain. You may still feel pressure or pushing during the procedure.

1. A special needle is placed through the skin into the marrow cavity of the hipbone, where stem cells and blood are aspirated.

• To obtain rich marrow, many small aspirations must be done, sometimes necessitating more than one (1) puncture. Once the procedure is finished, a bandage is placed over the needle marks to protect them.
• About 100-120 ml of bone marrow is collected during the procedure. This is only a very small amount of your total marrow cells. The body if capable to replace it by generating new marrow cells.

Collection generally takes about 20 to 30 minutes, but each individual procedure varies.

What happens after the procedure?

Once the bone marrow aspiration is completed, you will be asked to lie on your back for 20 to 30 minutes.

The IPMM Nurse will check your vital signs and your hip bandage for bleeding. The IPMM Hematologist will explain the home instructions. This includes:

1. Do not remove the dressing bandage for at least 24 hours.
2. Taking a bath is possible but make sure that the puncture site will not get wet.
3. You may take Paracetamol or NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) for pain.
4. In case of redness, swelling or hematoma around the punctured site, please call the Institute of Personalized Molecular Medicine-Regenerative Medicine Clinic.

How can The Medical City help you?

At The Medical City, we have a complete roster of competent doctors who can assess and treat patients needing Bone Marrow Aspiration.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at the Institute of Personalized Molecular Medicine-Regenerative Medicine Clinic at (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 ext. 6307/6551.

Note: This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advise, diagnosis or treatment.   If you or someone you know have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable to seek professional help.