title: [Endoscopic radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting: applications and histologic assessment].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the influence of endoscopic radial artery harvesting techniques on the prevalence of complications after coronary artery bypass grafting, and to assess the potential trauma to the radial artery through the histological changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  From August 2003 to June 2008, 87 patients undergoing CABG had radial artery harvested by endoscopic harvesting system. About 4 mm proximal and distal radial artery end segment of 10 patients undergoing endoscopic and conventional harvesting were examined with light and electro-microscope.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The endoscopic harvest time was 42 to 98 min, with a mean of (57.6 +/- 17.3) min. The harvested conduit length was 15 to 20 cm, with a mean of (17.5 +/- 1.6) cm. Objective dorsal thenar numbness remained in 7 patients, none complained of forearm numbness at 3-month follow-up. The result of light and electro-microscope had no differences in the intima, media, or adventitia between endoscopically and conventionally obtained radial artery segments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of endoscopic radial artery harvesting in coronary artery bypass grafting can be performed safely with infrequent complications. This method results in excellent patient satisfaction, particularly regarding the cosmetic outcome.
authors: Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China.
authors: Sheng
authors: S
authors: Zhao
authors: Biao
authors: B
authors: Yuan
authors: Xiao-luan
authors: XL
authors: Zhu
authors: Zhong
authors: Z
authors: Zhao
authors: Dong-hai
authors: DH
authors: Li
authors: Yang-yang
authors: YY
authors: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000637:transplantation*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome