Advantages of a modified gastroscope for video-assisted internal mammary artery harvesting

Instead of standard rigid thoracoscopes, we used a modified gastroscope for video assistance during 12 minimally invasive left internal mammary harves ting. Flexibility and remote control of its last centimeters give to the ga stroscope a total freedom of movements, and perfect positioning in every di rection. The scope is equipped with cold light, a suction canal and an irri gation canal, which allow for in situ washing without needing to remove it from the thoracic cavity. Thanks to these advantages, vision and lighting a re always perfect. (Ann Thorac Surg 1999;67:872-3) (C) 1999 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.