[Coronary artery bypass grafting using side-to-side anastomosis]

Recently, to obtain better long-term patency after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) arterial conduits such as internal mammary arteries (IMAs) and the right gastroepiploic artery have been frequently used. For coronary site anastomosis, end-to-side anastomosis is common. These conduits have a smaller diameter than the saphenous vein graft, so that, usually, longitudinal slits are made on the distal end of these grafts to obtain a more effective anastomotic orifice area. However, there is a potential for anastomotic leakage due to mismatch between the incision of the coronary artery and the arterial graft. We report here the efficacy of side-to-side anastomosis using small arterial conduits. This method has several advantages. Firstly, there is no chance of anastomotic leakage, since the coronary incision and graft incision can be perfectly matched. Secondly, if there is at least a 5-mm distance between the distal end of the graft incision and the surgical clip, the graft incision can be extended during anastomosis for adjustment. Thirdly, the distal end of the graft can be held beyond the surgical clip by forceps without damaging the arterial graft, which makes it easier for the anastomosis to be performed. Finally, the anastomosis can be checked by passing a probe through the distal end of the graft after removing the surgical clip. Also dye can be injected from the distal end of the graft at "Off Pump CABG", intraoperatively. This technique can be applied not only for distal end anastomosis, but also for proximal end, using free IMA to the ascending aorta and to make a Y-graft.