Endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting versus 'open' technique. A prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
Preparation of the great saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafts is usually performed through one or many cutaneous incisions. A technique of endoscopic harvesting is now available. An aim of the study was to compare both methods, prospectively.


METHODS
Sixty coronary artery bypass grafting patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to saphenous vein harvesting technique: 30 patients to group 1 -- open harvesting technique (OHT) and 30 patients to group 2 -- endoscopic harvesting technique (EHT). The results were assessed on the basis of (1) clinical outcome (hematomas, inflammations), (2) length of the cutaneous incisions compared to length of the segment of vein harvested, (3) time of harvesting, (4) postoperative pain.


RESULTS
Both groups were comparable in terms of: age, sex, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, site of harvesting, number of anastomoses, and length of the vein harvested. Both the length of the cutaneous incisions and the postoperative pain were decreased in the EHT group. Harvesting time was increased in the OHT group.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting allows improved aesthetic aspect, less postoperative discomfort, with an increased time in harvesting in the beginning.
L'Institut Mutualiste Montsouris, Departement of Cardiovascular Surgery, Paris, France. cardio@.dot.imm
T A
TA
Folliguet
E
E
Le Bret
A
A
Moneta
S
S
Musumeci
F
F
Laborde
D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*