Expanding Surgical Opportunities: Endoscopic Harvesting of the Vena Saphena Parva in Supine Position

Abstract

The small saphenous vein (SSV) has proved to be a valid graft option for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), if other grafts are absent or unsuitable. Beside the described open technique we herein present our approach to endoscopic harvesting in supine position in seven patients. Harvesting was successful in six patients. Mean skin-to-skin time was 29.8 minutes. There were no infections or neurological deficits and the intraoperatively measured graft flow was excellent according to mean flow and low pulsatility index. Therefore, endoscopic harvesting of the SSV extends surgical opportunities not only in CABG, but also in surgery of peripheral artery disease.

Keywords

coronary artery bypass grafting - minimally invasive surgery - peripheral vascular disease

• References

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