Minimally invasive vein harvest and wound healing using the SaphLITE Retractor System.
BACKGROUND
In response to reported wound complication rates of 19% to 43% for traditional saphenous vein harvest, several minimally invasive vein harvest (MIVH) techniques have been developed. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the effectiveness of one such MIVH technology, the Genzyme SaphLITE Retractor System (Genzyme Biosurgery, Cambridge, MA).


METHODS
Since May 2000, saphenectomy was undertaken in 305 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients using SaphLITE in a prospective, nonrandomized trial at three centers. Patients were assessed for wound healing (ASEPSIS tool) and incisional pain (numeric scale) through the postoperative visit. Harvest times, incision lengths, and vein lengths were recorded.


RESULTS
ASEPSIS indicated satisfactory healing in 96.0%. Infection rate was 1.3% with four patients requiring antibiotics and debridement of one incision. Of hospitalized patients, 85.4% had no or minimal affected leg pain. Additional mean data include: harvest time 43.4 +/- 17.6 minutes, incision number 3.0 +/- 1.2, incision length 2.9 +/- 1.4 cm, and vein length 46.0 +/- 15.2 cm.


CONCLUSIONS
SaphLITE provides an effective alternative to traditional saphenous vein harvest, with improved wound healing, decreased pain, and acceptable harvest times.
Greenfield
G T
GT
Cardiac & Thoracic Surgical Associates, Richmond, Virginia 23226, USA. georgegreenfield@heartsurgeryva.com
Whitworth
W A
WA
Tavares
L L
LL
Wittenbraker
M T
MT
Wallace
D M
DM
Valdivia
J A
JA
Campbell
K
K
Williams
L
L
Black
E
E
Pillai
R
R
Caskey
M P
MP
Bladergroen
M R
MR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting; D014945:Wound Healing