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Updated: Mar 14, 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
Endoscopic Graft Harvesting
Anna Kathrin Assmann1, Mustafa Gercek2, Jochen Boergermann2
1Department of Cardiac Surgery and CURE 3D Lab, University Hospital of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Endoscopic graft harvesting was first introduced clinically in the 1990s and is currently used in 80-90% of all CABG cases in the United States. Several studies have compared open and endoscopic harvesting techniques in terms of long-term clinical outcomes and major adverse events. In summary, endoscopic graft harvesting allows for reduced postoperative pain, minimization of wound infection risk and a better cosmetic result with higher patients' satisfaction. Harvester experience guarantees a graft quality that is comparable to open harvesting techniques. Thus, American as well as European guidelines recommend endoscopic harvesting - particularly in patients at high risk of wound healing disorders.
