title: Method for creation of the aortotomy site for saphenous vein grafts.
abstract: Saphenous vein coronary artery bypass grafting requires a proximal anastomosis of the vein to the aorta. A variety of techniques have been described to create the aortotomy. We have developed a four-sided knife (Xcision Scalpel; patent pending, Research Medical, Inc, Midvale, UT) that facilitates the creation of a more uniform circular aortotomy. The purpose of this communication is to describe the knife and the technique for its use.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Evanston Hospital, Illinois 60201, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Votapka
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Curran
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Unger
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Hillman
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*