Bone Marrow-Derived Cellular Therapies in Orthopaedics

Part I: Recommendations for Bone Marrow Aspiration Technique and Safety

Abstract

• * Bone marrow is a valuable source of cells for cell-based therapies in orthopaedics.
• * Bone marrow aspiration is most frequently performed from the iliac crest and has been reported to be a safe procedure, with a low complication rate in orthopaedics.
• * The bone marrow aspiration site, technique, and subsequent processing have a profound effect on the concentration and prevalence of connective tissue progenitors. The iliac crest generally provides the highest yield and prevalence of connective tissue progenitors.
• * Small aspiration volumes (1 to 2 mL each), using 10-mL syringes, and modifying the aspiration sites by 5 to 10 mm are recommended to optimize the yield of connective tissue progenitors during bone marrow aspiration.
• * In clinical trials of cell-based therapies derived from bone marrow aspiration, the aspiration technique (site, needle, syringe, aspiration volume, and anticoagulant, if used) should be reported.