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Updated: Apr 21, 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
[Surgical technique of saphenous vein harvesting using a Cusco vaginal speculum]
Keita Kikuchi1, Kotaro Suzuki, Yoshiki Endo
1Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Yamato Seiwa Hospital, Yamato, Japan.
Abstract:
We used Cusco vaginal speculum in harvesting saphenous vein graft (SVG) as an assist device for making a skin tunnel. After making 2 incisions of 3 to 4 cm, the SVG was dissected in a usual procedure. Then Cusco vaginal speculum was inserted into the skin tunnel between the 2 incisions. The SVG was dissected in a usual fashion under direct vision with the speculum. This procedure requires only small incisions, short learning curve and low cost. The new technique using Cusco vaginal speculum can be a reliable option for harvesting SVG.

