How is a bone marrow aspiration done?
What is maintenance therapy? It is an effort to keep the patient in remission, prevent the reappearance ofleukemic cells, and maintain a normal bone marrow and blood picture . How is a bone marrow aspiration done? The bone marrow test may be done on the breastbone or hipbone. The breastbone test is done with the patient lying on his or her back. The patient usually lies on the stomach when it is done on the hipbone. The area is numbed and a tiny opening is made in the skin. The doctor will use a special two part needle made up of a hollow tube with another solid tube fitted into it. When this has been inserted into the bone marrow, the solid tube is removed and an empty suction tube is attached to the opening ofthe needle. The doctor will pull some of the marrow out by pulling back on the plunger. You are likely to feel pressure, but it will hurt for just a few seconds. If the first attempt is not successful, the doctor will repeat the process. Sometimes it is di...