Mobilized blood cells vs bone marrow harvest: experience compared in 171 donors with particular reference to pain and fatigue

This prospective study compared the donor experience of blood cell ( BC) mobilization and leukapheresis ( n = 116) with that of bone marrow ( BM) harvest ( n = 55). Internal jugular catheters were inserted electively in 89% of BC donors. Most ( 80%) BM donors had a harvest with general anesthesia; 20% had epidural or spinal anesthesia. Pain and fatigue were frequent with both procedures and were compared in responses to questionnaires. A total of 85% of BM donors reported moderate or severe pain compared with 68% of BC donors ( P = 0.02). The median duration of pain was 14 days for BM donors compared with 3 days after BC mobilization ( P