ENDOSCOPIC SAPHENOUS-VEIN HARVESTING VERSUS OPEN TECHNIQUE - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Objective: Preparation of the great saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass grafts is usually performed through one or many cutaneous inci sions. A technique of endoscopic harvesting is now available. An aim o f the study was to compare both methods, prospectively. Methods: Sixty coronary artery bypass grafting patients were randomly assigned to tw o groups according to saphenous vein harvesting technique: 30 patients to group 1 - open harvesting technique (OHT) and 30 patients to group 2 - endoscopic harvesting technique (EHT). The results were assessed on the basis of (1) clinical outcome (hematomas, inflammations), (2) l ength of the cutaneous incisions compared to length of the segment of vein harvested, (3) lime of harvesting, (4) postoperative pain. Result s: Both groups were comparable in terms of: age, sex, diabetes, periph eral artery disease, site of harvesting, number of anastomoses, and le ngth of the vein harvested. Both the length of the cutaneous incisions and the postoperative pain were decreased in the EHT group. Harvestin g time was increased in the OHT group. Conclusions: Endoscopic sapheno us vein harvesting allows improved aesthetic aspect, less postoperativ e discomfort, with an increased time in harvesting in the beginning. ( C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.