Endoscopic radial artery harvesting through a single incision

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Vascular Surgery
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Radial artery harvesting is a common procedure in coronary artery bypass grafting.
• Traditional harvesting methods can result in significant scarring and operative trauma.
• There is a need for less invasive techniques with improved cosmetic outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel endoscopic method for radial artery harvesting.
• To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of this minimally invasive technique.

Main Methods:

• A single 3-cm skin incision is utilized.
• An endoscope within a retractor facilitates visualization.
• A harmonic scalpel is employed for artery dissection.
• Artery transection is performed using a pre-tied endoloop.

Main Results:

• The endoscopic harvesting procedure can be completed in approximately 45 minutes.
• The technique results in reduced operative trauma compared to conventional methods.
• Excellent cosmetic outcomes are achieved due to the minimal incision.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopic radial artery harvesting is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique.
• This method offers advantages in terms of operative time, trauma, and aesthetics.
• It represents a valuable alternative for radial artery procurement in bypass surgery.