Modified technique for rapid atraumatic radial artery harvesting

The radial artery is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity as a conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting. We have introduced a modification of the standard technique of radial artery harvesting, which we have evaluated in a prospective randomized control study. Our modified technique was significantly quicker (p < 0.001) than the standard technique and required the use of fewer hemostatic clips (p < 0.001). Spasm of the radial artery did not occur in either group and there was no histological evidence of thermal injury to the radial artery. There was no incidence of postoperative hematoma, forearm dysesthesia, impaired wound healing, or hand complications in either group. We conclude that our technique allows rapid, inexpensive, and atraumatic harvesting of the radial artery.