title: Satisfaction with conduit harvest site scars in coronary bypass surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Scars from conduit harvesting are common in coronary artery bypass patients. As an outward manifestation of surgery, the scar is important in patient perception of operative success and quality of care received. The aim of this study was to determine patient satisfaction with scars from radial artery and saphenous vein harvests at a tertiary cardiothoracic centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  We surveyed 62 patients attending follow-up appointment using the Patient Scar Assessment Questionnaire. This is a reliable and valid measure of a patient's perception of scarring. Data were analysed using ratings of scar attributes and features. We compared findings according to site and patient choice of scar site using the Mann-Whitney U test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of both global and summative ratings showed no overall statistical differences between arm and leg scars (p<0.05). However, patients given a choice gave significantly higher ratings of scar appearance on global ratings versus those given no choice. Patients also reported greater satisfaction with appearance than those given no choice on summative ratings (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient choice of conduit site is an important determinant of the overall rating of scar appearance. Overall satisfaction is influenced by scar appearance. Clinicians should ensure, wherever possible, that they involve patients in conduit site selection.
authors.affiliation: National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK. ciaran.hill@uclh.nhs.uk
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Birdi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000523:psychology*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017534:Radial Artery; D012501:Saphenous Vein; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*