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Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Synergizing Antegrade Endoscopic with Bridging Vein Harvesting for Improvement of Great Saphenous Vein Graft Quality from the Lower Leg
Published on: November 19, 2019
Lymphoscintigraphic findings: delayed oedema after great saphenous vein harvesting
C E Q Belczak1, J M P de Godoy, A F Cruz Júnior
1Lymphovenous Rehabilitation of the Medicine, School, São Jose do Rio Preto (FAMERP), Brazil.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to identify lymphoscintigraphic changes associated with lower-extremity oedema after the harvesting of the saphenous vein using a series of short Q2 incisions for coronary bypass.
Method:
Forty-four patients (32 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 62.7 ± 7.8 (47-75 years old) were evaluated in a retrospective, quantitative, cross-sectional study from June 2007 to January 2008, three to 188 months (mean: 46 months) after the surgical procedure. Assessment was by water displacement volumetry and lymphoscintigraphy of the lower limbs. Results expressed as means with standard deviations were compared employing the Student's t-test and the chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare data expressed as frequencies. An alpha error of 5% was considered acceptable (P ≤ 0.05).
Results:
The presence of dermal backflow, as identified by lymphoscintigraphy with an accumulation of radiotracer in the thoracic duct and popliteal lymph nodes was significantly greater on the operated side.
Conclusion:
There was a significant association between dermal backflow and delayed oedema.
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