Semiskeletonization of internal thoracic artery: alternative harvest technique.
A simple technique of harvesting the internal thoracic artery is described. Harvesting the internal thoracic artery as a thin pedicle without the endothoracic fascia is advantageous in terms of obtaining its maximum length, dissecting a narrow space, avoiding pleural opening, and facilitating handling of the internal thoracic artery during the coronary anastomoses. This alternative-technique requires almost the same skill and time as the conventional wide pedicle technique.
Horii
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T
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura, Japan.
Suma
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H
D006801:Humans; D007387:Internal Mammary-Coronary Artery Anastomosis / Q000379:methods; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*