title: Internal mammary artery harvesting using the harmonic scalpel.
abstract: Internal mammary artery (IMA) harvesting using the harmonic scalpel (HS) was recently introduced. We studied 541 IMAs harvested by the same surgeon through a standard median sternotomy in 472 coronary bypass patients; 252 (47%) with the HS, while 289 (53%) were with electrocautery (EC). Patient demographics included mean ages: 67 years HS vs. 65 years EC (p = NS); male:female ratio: 3:1; and insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM): 11% HS vs. 12.5% EC (NS). Mean ultrasonic IMA flow at a mean SBP of 70 mm Hg in 10 consecutive patients of each group were: preharvest, HS 11.9 +/- 2.3 ml/min vs. EC 8.5 +/- 1.6 ml/min (p = 0.256); postharvest, HS 35.7 +/- 10.7 ml/min vs. EC 22 +/- 2.9 ml/min (0.235); and postcardiopulmonary bypass (post-CPB), HS 47.8 +/- 6.2 ml/min vs. EC 41.7 +/- 2.5 ml/min (0.381). Histologic samples of 50 consecutive IMAs showed no evidence of vessel injury in either group. Clinical results revealed postoperative bleeding in 6/217 (2.7%) HS vs. 7/255 (2.7%) EC (p = 0.783), none attributed to bleeding from the IMA; phrenic paresis: 0/217 in HS but 1/255 (0.4%) in EC (p = 0.960); sternal wound infection: 5/217 (2.3%) HS vs. 6/255 (2.4%) EC (p = 0.787); postoperative IABP: 6/217 (2.7%) HS vs. 5/255 (2%) EC (p = 0.859); mortality: 2/217 (0.9%) HS vs. 2/255 (0.8%) EC (p = 0.710). Hemodynamic, histologic, and clinical results were comparable in both groups. The authors believe the HS is safe and effective for IMA harvesting.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center, Paterson, New Jersey 07503, USA.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Orejola
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Villacin
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Defilippi
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Mekhjian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013525:Surgical Instruments