Optimizing BM harvesting from normal adult donors

The experience at a single institution of BM harvesting (BMH) in general anesthetic for allogeneic transplantation from 49 healthy adult donors since March 2002 is presented in detail, together with an analysis of all the donor complications. In this study, we analyzed the advantages through the change from an aspiration needle with one hole (group A, n=18) to a system with additional five side holes (group B, n=31) in April 2005 for faster aspiration of large volumes of BM. In group B, the operation time was reduced by 50%, which is 12 min to date (1006 ml BM). Furthermore, the collection rate (volume BM/time) was significantly increased, namely to 81.9 ml/min in group B. The yields of total nucleated cells and CD34+ cells are nearly identical and adequate in both systems. The proportion of donors treated as day cases--that is, able to be discharged on the same day as the procedure--was 56% in group A and 81% in group B. There was no significant operative site morbidity. BMH accomplished by trained personal is a safe procedure for healthy adult donors on an outpatient basis as standard in our collection center.