Histologic evidence of the safety of endoscopic saphenous vein graft preparation.
BACKGROUND
Endoscopic methods of saphenous vein procurement have recently been introduced. These techniques have been successful in limiting pain and wound complications, but less information on assessing potential trauma to the harvested vein segment is available.


METHODS
Fourteen male patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were included in the study. Nine patients underwent endoscopic procurement of saphenous vein whereas 5 patients underwent procurement using standard open techniques. Histologic appearance and immunohistochemical studies (factor VIII:vWF [von Willebrand factor protein] and CD34) of the vein segments were reviewed in a blinded fashion.


RESULTS
On histologic analysis, no differences in the intima, media, or adventitia were found between endoscopically and conventionally obtained vein segments. Immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII:vWF and CD34 showed no differences between veins harvested by the two techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting does not appear to traumatize the vessel wall any more than open techniques. Longitudinal assessment is necessary to evaluate long-term patency in vein grafts procured using this method.
Meyer
D M
DM
Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, and Dallas Veterans Administration Medical Center, 75235-8879, USA. dan.meyer@email.swmed.edu
Rogers
T E
TE
Jessen
M E
ME
Estrera
A S
AS
Chin
A K
AK
D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*