Purpose
Bone marrow harvesting is the procedure used to remove a small portion of bone marrow. The bone marrow which is harvested may be used at some point in the future for bone marrow transplantation.

General Information
The harvesting procedure is done by the Marrow Transplant Service physicians in the operating room at our Same Day Surgery Center in under general or spinal anesthesia. Bone marrow is removed from several sites on the hips and/or breastbone (sternum) using a special syringe and needle (the same size as the one used for your bone marrow aspirations and biopsies). The amount of marrow removed depends on your body weight and particular illness. The body will replace this marrow in approximately two weeks.

Once the physicians have obtained the required amount of marrow, it is processed filtered and treated with preservatives and frozen in the laboratory. In some cases, the harvested bone marrow needs to be treated with certain types of chemotherapy in order to "cleanse" the marrow of possible malignant cells. The marrow will remain frozen (cryopreserved) until it is needed for transplantation. After the harvesting is completed the marrow donor will remain in the recovery room for approximately one to two hours and then be discharged home.

After the Procedure
When the donor wakes up in the Recovery Room he/she will have pressure dressings over the harvest sites to prevent any bleeding. These dressings need to be removed 24 hours after the procedure. Leaving them on longer may cause an infection under the bandage at the needle site. The donor may find it easiest to remove the dressings in the shower when they are wet.

The marrow donor may feel moderate soreness at the harvest sites after the anesthetic has worn off. Your transplant physician may prescribe pain medicine to take at home. DO NOT take aspirin, aspirin-containing products, or ibuprofen unless prescribed by your doctor. Warm soaks applied to the harvest sites will help relieve the pain and stiffness. Walking, general movement, and warm showers will also help to relieve these symptoms.

DO NOT take a tub bath for two days after the procedure. Showering is permitted.

Eat a well balanced diet high in iron. Include 6 - 8 glasses of fluid each day. Check with your doctor regarding taking vitamin supplements.

Check with your doctor about returning to work.

Call the Bone Marrow Transplant Program if You:

- Notice bleeding from the harvest site(s).
- Notice redness or drainage at the harvest site(s).
- Develop chills and/or fever.
- Develop a persistent cough.