title: Minimally invasive saphenous vein harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting--comparison of three less invasive methods.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Saphenous vein is routinely harvested using one or a few long continuous skin incisions. This method is associated with typical healing complications such as oedemas, pain, necrosis, what often restricts proper rehabilitation. An alternative minimally invasive techniques may decrease these complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective randomised trial compared outcomes associated with saphenous vein harvested using three minimally invasive techniques versus a traditional longitudinal incision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the less invasive group we observed statistically significant improvement in all estimated parameters of wound healing, oedemas and pain. We present also costs analysis between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that less invasive techniques of saphenous vein harvesting may be alternatively introduced in coronary bypass surgery.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Cardiac Surgery, Silesian Medical University, ul. Ziołowa 47/45, 40-645 Katowice, Poland. cismar@polbox.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cisowski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wites
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drzewiecka-Gerber
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bochenek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing