RIGHT GASTROEPIPLOIC ARTERY USED AS A PEDICLED GRAFT IN A RETROGRADE FASHION

The right gastroepiploic artery is currently regarded as a most valuab le arterial conduit for myocardial revascularization. We have document ed a particular case wherein the proximal (pyloric) part of the right gastroepiploic artery could not be freed and was damaged because of pr evious cholecystectomy. The pedicle was divided at the pyloric side an d raised up to be anastomosed to the posterior descending artery in a retrograde fashion. The purpose of this report is to emphasize the fac t that a previous abdominal operation does not necessarily hamper the use of the gastroepiploic artery as a pedicled graft. It is also point ed out that retrograde flow in the pedicle was sufficient in this case to provide good revascularization.