title: Cost-effective endoscopic radial artery harvesting.
abstract: Radial artery harvesting has been routinely performed by endoscopy. We present a reduced cost technique using a reusable retractor and thermal welding shears. The combination of reusable and disposable tools allows patients to benefit from endoscopic radial artery harvesting with decreased morbidity and favorable cosmetic results.
authors.affiliation: Meritcare Medical Center, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Fargo, North Dakota 58123, USA. roxanne.newman@meritcare.com
authors.forename: Roxanne V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: W Greg
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Lammle
authors.forename: Kristy J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Matz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000601:surgery; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000601:surgery* / Q000637:transplantation; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*