Connective Tissue Progenitor Analysis of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Harvested From the Body of the Ilium During Arthroscopic Acetabular Labral Repair

Abstract

To evaluate the number and concentration of progenitors of the bone marrow aspirate (BMA) harvest from the body of the ilium in comparison with other established aspiration sites. The inclusion criteria consisted of primary hip arthroscopy for acetabular labral tear. BMA was performed by placing an aspiration needle into the body of ilium just proximal to the sourcil in 33 patients. The BMA was centrifuged and processed in the operating room, resulting in approximately 3 to 5 mL of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC). Samples of both BMA and BMAC sample were analyzed. The cohort of 30 patients had a mean number of nucleated cells of 24.0 million nucleated cells/cc of BMA. The BMAC samples had a mean connective tissue progenitor (CTP) cell concentration of 879.3 stem cells/cc ofBMAC, a mean CTP prevalence of 34.1 stem cells/million nucleated cells, and a mean number of days to form colonies of 2.97 days. All 4 metrics of CTP harvest did not vary significantly with age, body mass index, sex, or laterality. The nucleated cell count was significantly associated with both CTP prevalence, r2= 0.287 (P= .002), and CTP concentration, r2= 0.388 (P < .001). BMAC harvested from the body of the ilium during concurrent hip arthroscopy is a technically and biologically feasible option. Furthermore, the harvest site was found to have a CTP concentration that is similar or exceeds other published harvest sites. Finally, BMAC processing and application to areas of articular cartilage wear was performed efficiently and safely with no increase in morbidity or complications. The body of the ilium is a reliable and rich source of CTP cells. This study may assist orthopaedic surgeons interested in performing biologic augmentation during hip surgery in determining a harvest site.