Facile location of the saphenous vein during endoscopic vessel harvesting

Endoscopic techniques are used more frequently to harvest the saphenous vei n for cardiac and peripheral vascular procedures. To identify the saphenous vein through an initial small access incision can be difficult. We describ e the use of a portable intraoperative ultrasound system-to expeditiously i dentify the saphenous vein during endoscopic harvesting, particularly in ob ese patients. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.