Bone Marrow Aspirate and Trephine Biopsy Procedure in a Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kenya

Introduction: Bone marrow aspiration and biopsies are carried out principally to permit cytological assessment of marrow. The procedure is also indicated for immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, molecular and other specialized investigations. The skill to perform bone marrow aspirate and biopsy is usually acquired by the medical personnel through apprenticeship during their training. The training includes performing the procedure, indications, contraindications, and associated hazards. Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) being a specialized Hospital in Western Kenya has several staff trained on performing the procedure. Objective: To assess the performance of bone marrow procedure by clinicians at a teaching and referral hospital. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done involving 40 clinicians working in the hematology clinic and medical wards from June to December 2019. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data and data analysis was done using frequency tables. Approval to carry out the study was sought from the institutional IRB. Results: Patients attended to were predominantly adults 33 (83%). The superior posterior iliac crest was the commonest site for the procedure and disposable needles were routinely used in 33 (83%) of the patients. Pain and excessive bleeding 18 (45%) were the commonest complications associated with the procedure. Conclusion: Most of the clinicians involved doing the procedure were residents/registrars. Most of the patients attended to were adults (83%) and majority of the clinicians performed the procedure on the posterior iliac site (96%) using disposable needles (83%). Local anesthesia was commonly used during the procedure (88%). The common complications associated with the bone marrow procedure were pain and excessive bleeding (45%).