Changes in sternal blood flow after different methods of internal thoracic artery harvesting.
OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to assess the early changes in sternal perfusion after midline sternotomy and different (skeletonized versus semiskeletonized) techniques of internal thoracic artery (ITA) harvesting.


METHODS
The experiments were performed in the swine model. After midline sternotomy, ITA harvesting (skeletonized technique) was performed unilaterally in Group I (6 animals). The ITA and the internal thoracic vein (ITV) were harvested (semiskeletonized technique) in Group II (5 animals). The contralateral sternal half served as a control. Using a thermographic camera with a 0.06 degrees C sensitivity, sternal perfusion was assessed 2 and 5 hours after surgery.


RESULTS
Midline sternotomy alone did not affect sternal blood flow. A statistically significant ( p < 0.05) reduction in perfusion of the involved sternal half in comparison to the control side was detected at 2 and 5 hours after surgery. The degree of perfusion deficit was not related to the harvesting technique.


CONCLUSIONS
Skeletonized and semiskeletonized ITA harvesting techniques caused a similar acute reduction in sternal perfusion during the early postoperative period and this effect lasted for at least 5 hours.
Fokin
A A
AA
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Heineman Medical Research Laboratories, Carolinas Medical Center, 1001 Blythe Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA.
Robicsek
F
F
Fokin
A
A
Anderson
J E
JE
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature; D005260:Female; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000601:surgery*; D023421:Models, Animal; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013249:Sternum / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D013552:Swine; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*