Bone marrow aspiration in resource poor environment: our experience in Kenya

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Medical Devices
• Surgical Procedures

Background:

• Bone marrow aspiration is crucial for diagnosing hematological disorders.
• Conventional needles (Salah, Klima, Jamshidi, Islam) can be costly.
• Cost and accessibility are significant concerns in resource-limited healthcare environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of using an 18-gauge lumbar puncture needle for bone marrow aspiration.
• To present a cost-effective and accessible alternative for bone marrow examination in resource-challenged settings.

Main Methods:

• Bone marrow aspiration was performed using an 18-gauge lumbar puncture needle.
• The posterior superior iliac spine was utilized as the aspiration site.
• Crush preparations were made from the aspirated samples.

Main Results:

• The technique demonstrated safety and cost-effectiveness.
• The posterior superior iliac spine was easily accessible, even in obese patients.
• Crush preparations yielded good cellular morphology, minimizing the need for repeat procedures.

Conclusions:

• Using an 18-gauge lumbar puncture needle for bone marrow aspiration is a viable, safe, and economical method.
• This technique is suitable for resource-limited settings, requiring no additional specialized training.
• The posterior superior iliac spine is an effective and accessible site for this procedure.