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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
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Synergizing Antegrade Endoscopic with Bridging Vein Harvesting for Improvement of Great Saphenous Vein Graft Quality from the Lower Leg
Published on: November 19, 2019
[Endoscopic vein harvest in coronary bypass]
Lars Konge Jensen1, Blagoja Dimo, Daniel A Steinbrüchel
1Rigshospitalet, Thoraxkirurgisk Afdeling. lkonge@yahoo.dk
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|March 16, 2007
Summary
Endoscopic vein harvest for coronary revascularization offers improved wound healing and reduced infection rates. This minimally invasive technique demonstrates good vein quality and a manageable learning curve for surgeons.
Area of Science:
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
Context:
- Saphenous vein grafts are crucial for coronary revascularization.
- Traditional open vein harvest is associated with wound healing complications and infections.
- Endoscopic vein harvest (EVH) presents a less invasive alternative.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the initial clinical experience and outcomes of endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting.
- To assess the quality of veins harvested using the endoscopic method.
- To determine the safety and feasibility of EVH in a cardiothoracic surgery department.
Summary:
- Endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting was performed in 38 patients using the Guidant VasoView EVH System.
- No donor site complications were observed postoperatively.
- 68% of harvested veins were of good quality, with poor quality attributed to anatomical factors, not technique.
Impact:
- Endoscopic vein harvest can be successfully introduced with favorable results and reasonable learning curves.
- This technique reduces postoperative infection and wound healing problems in cardiac surgery patients.
- EVH maintains vein quality comparable to traditional methods, enhancing patient recovery.
