title: Endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting.
abstract: Although the use of arterial conduit has decreased the amount of saphenous vein required for routine coronary artery bypass grafting, the saphenous vein as a bypass conduit remains an essential component of most practices. We describe the technique of endoscopic vein harvest that, in our initial experience with 30 patients, has improved patient satisfaction and decreased the complications associated with traditional harvest techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, St. Vincent Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Shaar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016377:Organ Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*