What is bone marrow aspiration? 

A bone marrow aspiration is a procedure to take a sample of your bone marrow using a needle. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside your bones that produces blood cells.

Why do you need bone marrow aspiration?

If your blood test shows irregular levels of red blood cells, white blood cells or platelets, your doctor might suggest a bone marrow aspiration. 

A bone marrow aspiration can also be used to check if cancer cells have metastasised (spread) to your bones, or to check on the health of your bone marrow before a bone marrow transplant.

What can you expect when undergoing bone marrow aspiration?

During Bone Marrow Aspiration

Before bone marrow aspiration takes place, you will be under local anesthesia to numb the area where the aspiration will be performed and possibly sedation – the area where aspiration will be performed is usually at the top ridge of the rear of the hipbone or occasionally, the chest bone. 

A hollow needle will be inserted by your doctor through your skin and into the bone – a syringe is then attached to draw fluid out of your bone marrow.

After Bone Marrow Aspiration

The area where aspiration was performed will be bandaged. You may feel some slight pain or tenderness that will last a week or more after your bone marrow aspiration – pain relievers may be prescribed by your doctor for you to manage the pain.

Why choose Novena Surgery for bone marrow aspiration?

Doctors who choose to perform bone marrow aspiration at Novena Surgery will perform the procedure in one of four modular operating theaters with cable-less pendant systems, allowing doctors to operate free of stray wiring obstruction.

Post-procedure, patients can choose to recover in one of Novena Surgery’s comfortable private suites, or in our 12-bed recovery unit under the care of well-trained nursing staff.

Waiting times are also shortened as patients need only turn up half-an-hour before their surgery, and be checked into the ward within 10 minutes of arrival. 

Patients’ companions have the option of patronising Velocity, Square and Square 2 shopping malls that are seamlessly integrated with Novena Medical Centre, the building housing Novena Surgery.

I want to undergo bone marrow aspiration in Novena Surgery but I do not have a specialist doctor in mind yet.

This list consists of specialists who commonly perform bone marrow aspirations at Novena Surgery – contact us at +65-6254 9331 or admin@novenasurgery.com.sg and we will help you book a consultation appointment with a specialist doctor from the list.

Name of Specialist ClinicName of Specialist DoctorSpecialist Clinic AddressSpecialist Clinic Opening Hours
Gerrard Teoh Hematology & Medical ClinicDr Gerrard Teoh10 Sinaran Drive, #08-34, Novena Medical Centre Square 2, Singapore 307506Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Sat, Sun & Public Holiday: Closed