title: [Endoscopic harvesting of the vena saphena magna for peripheral vascular reconstruction].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  By using an endoscopic, video-assisted instrumentarium we harvested the great saphenous vein for peripheral bypass surgery through minimal skin incisions with the purpose to reduce the wound complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endoscopic subcutaneous saphenous vein harvesting was performed in 15 patients who underwent peripheral bypass surgery for intermittent claudication. In 6 patients the vein was taken from the affected leg and in 9 patients the vein was harvested from the opposite leg.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In every case where the vein was taken from the affected leg we observed severe hematomas, which was in one case complicated by an abscess. Once we converted to the open procedure and in one patient endoscopic preparation led to a small vein injury. When the vein was harvested from the opposite leg no complications occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The endoscopic subcutaneous saphenous vein harvesting in peripheral bypass surgery with a special video-assisted instrumentarium is feasible. The cosmetic advantages of this procedure are associated with high costs and a long operating time. Although we were not able to demonstrate a reduction of wound complications in our patients, the endoscopic vein harvesting in peripheral bypass surgery should be considered a very promising procedure. Nevertheless we cannot recommend the method for a wide clinical use at this time.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemeine-, Viszeral- und Gefässchirurgie, Katholische Kliniken Essen-Nord.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Omlor
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fischbein
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alemdar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000601:surgery*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*
vernacular_title: Die endoskopische Entnahme der Vena saphena magna zur peripheren Gefässrekonstruktion.