title: Minimal-invasive, video-assisted vein harvesting for cardiac and vascular surgical procedures.
abstract: Harvesting of the saphenous vein is a routine procedure in coronary and peripheral vascular surgery. It is usually performed using a continuous long skin incision. Minor complications are reported in up to 24% (hematoma, wound dehiscence, infection, pain) and major problems necessitating surgical interventions (bleeding, abscess) in less than 1%. These complications lead to a prolonged hospital stay. To reduce these complications we have used a new endoscopic, video-assisted technique in 17 patients. Harvesting of the total length of the saphenous vein is possible with only one 2-3 cm long incision proximally the knee joint. We conclude that this technique is safe, may reduce the morbidity of saphenous vein harvesting and is associated with a perfect cosmetic result.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Germany. lutzch@ruf.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schlensak
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lutter
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schöllhorn
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beyersdorf
mesh_terms: D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery* / Q000637:transplantation*; D013997:Time Factors; D014743:Videotape Recording