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Thoracoscopic internal mammary artery harvesting: technical considerations
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Hôpital de la Pitié, Paris, France.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Thoracoscopic harvesting of the internal mammary artery (IMA) enables complete dissection for minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting. This technique expands options for patients needing bypass surgery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Techniques
- Thoracoscopic Procedures
Background:
- Technical details of thoracoscopic internal mammary artery (IMA) harvesting are presented.
- The procedure involves complete dissection of the left IMA from its origin to the sixth intercostal branches, with collateral branch transection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the technical details of thoracoscopic IMA harvesting.
- To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of this minimally invasive approach for coronary artery bypass grafting.
Main Methods:
- Thoracoscopic harvesting of the left IMA was performed on 32 patients between September 1995 and September 1996.
- These patients underwent minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting procedures.
Main Results:
- No conversions to a standard approach were necessary due to graft injury.
- No reoperations for bleeding were required.
- The mean duration for IMA harvesting was 58.7 minutes (range: 20-130 minutes).
Conclusions:
- Thoracoscopic IMA harvesting expands the scope of minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting.
- Full-length thoracoscopic IMA harvest allows the procedure to closely mimic the open surgical approach.