[Endoscopic radial artery harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting: applications and histologic assessment].
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.
Zhao
Sheng
S
Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, China.
Yuan
Biao
B
Zhu
Xiao-luan
XL
Zhao
Zhong
Z
Li
Dong-hai
DH
Zhang
Yang-yang
YY
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