A unilateral approach to bilateral thoracoscopic internal mammary artery harvesting.
A technique of harvesting both internal mammary arteries thoracoscopically using three unilateral ports is described. Bilateral thoracoscopic internal mammary artery (IMA) harvesting was performed using a unilateral approach in 18 patients. The mean harvest time for harvesting was 52.3 +/- 17.5 min for the contralateral LIMA and 35.6 +/- 6.7 min for the ipsilateral RIMA. The mean free flow for the 36 harvested arteries was 58.7 +/- 13.6 cc/min. Bilateral thoracoscopic IMA harvesting, from a single side, is safe and reproducible. Satisfactory length of both arterial conduits can be obtained with half the ports and in less time than harvesting from each side.
The Pensacola Heart Institute, Pensacola, FL 32504, USA. vassiliades@pol.net
Thomas A
TA
Vassiliades