Synergizing Antegrade Endoscopic with Bridging Vein Harvesting for Improvement of Great Saphenous Vein Graft Quality from the Lower Leg

Summary

Presented here is a protocol for antegrade endoscopic vein harvesting from the lower leg, which can safely be introduced in routine coronary artery bypass grafting. Vein grafts present excellent graft quality following this standardized protocol with positioning of the legs, minimally invasive access to the vein, and antegrade endoscopic vein harvesting.

Abstract

Antegrade endoscopic harvesting of autografts for bypass grafting may be an optimal strategy addressing excellent graft quality and reduced post-operative wound complications. This standardized protocol for antegrade endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) from the lower leg has the potential to be introduced to routine coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Patients undergoing CABG surgery are positioned on a surgical table with two additional foam rollers below the extended legs, enabling antegrade EVH from the lower leg. Following minimally invasive surgical access through a bridging vein harvest technique, an endoscopic optical dissector is inserted antegrade into the wound. The main vessel and side branches are dissected under continuous optical control of vein quality status and the working channel. After, an endoscopic optical retractor is inserted with an internal bipolar electrocoagulation device for precise, safe, and tissue-protective interruption of side branches. After release of the vein, the vessel is cut off at the proximal and distal ends under optical control, retrieved from the wound, then cannulated and flushed with heparinized saline. Finally, all side branches of the vein graft are double-clipped. Vascular histology is analyzed in a randomized selection of vein samples. After applying this standardized EVH protocol, the learning curve was shown to be steep, and graft quality was sufficient for coronary artery bypass grafting in every case. There was no conversion to surgical harvesting and low risks for tissue damage and bleeding. Leg positioning and synergizing EVH with bridging vein harvesting improved procedural success and vein graft quality. In our hands, antegrade EVH from the lower leg was feasible, demonstrating straightforward graft dissection as well as adequate macroscopic and microscopic graft quality with preserved endothelial integrity. In conclusion, the introduced technique is safe, shows excellent vein autograft quality, and illustrates feasibility for elective and urgent isolated CABG and combined CABG scenarios.

Introduction

Open atraumatic "low-touch" and "no-touch" techniques have been developed over the years for harvesting saphenous veins in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery or peripheral bypass grafting, producing grafts with excellent endothelial integrity and long-term patency. However, wound complications remain a major problem when using the open technique, especially in obese, diabetic, and chronic venous insufficiency patients^1,2,3,4. The question arises of how physicians can harvest the saphenous vein with optimal graft qual....

Protocol

The study conforms to the Declaration of Helsinki. The protocol follows the guidelines of an independent institutional ethics committee, and human biomaterials were obtained after informed written consent (ethics committee approval: A 2018-0037).

1. Positioning of the legs

NOTE: Patient inclusion criteria included a history of coronary artery disease with elective/urgent indication for CABG surgery and the need for harvesting of at least one venous bypass graft for co.......

Discussion

It should be stated that we prefer complete arterial coronary revascularization in our department. There is rising evidence that CABG using bilateral internal mammary artery (IMA) grafts can significantly improve long-term survival of patients^14,15,16,17. However, there are valid reasons for a "single IMA plus vein grafts" strategy, especially in patients at advanced ages, patients with.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
disposable scalpel (size 11, Präzisa Plus)	Dahlhausen, Germany		a
small curved smooth (anatomical) clamps	B. Braun Aesculap, Germany		b
toothed (surgical) forceps	B. Braun Aesculap, Germany		c
surgical scissors	B. Braun Aesculap, Germany		d
holder for scalpel blade (size 10)	B. Braun Aesculap, Germany		e
fine smoth (anatomical) forcep	B. Braun Aesculap, Germany		f
sponge-holding clamp	B. Braun Aesculap, Germany		g
clipping device	Fumedica, Switzerland		h
18 Gauge cannula (Sterican)	B. Braun, Germany		i
light handle	Simeon Medical, Germany		j
needle holder	B. Braun Aesculap, Germany		k
tissue retractor	B. Braun Aesculap, Germany		l
Redon needle	B. Braun Aesculap, Germany		m
adhesive hook and loop fastener	Mölnlycke, Germany		n
extended length endoscope	Karl Storz, Germany		o
optical cable	Karl Storz, Germany		p
transparent drap camera cover	ECOLAB Healthcare, Germany		q
connection cable for electrocauterisation	Maquet, Getinge Group, Germany		r
gas insufflation set	Dahlhausen, Germany		s
Fred Anti-Fog Solution	Medtronic, USA		t
bipolar electrocoagulation device	Maquet, Getinge Group, Germany		u
monitor (WideView)	Karl Storz, Germany		v
light source (xenon 300)	Karl Storz, Germany		w
gas insufflation controller (Endoflator)	Karl Storz, Germany		x
half-cylindrical foam roller	Almatros, Gebr. Albrecht KG, Germany		y
full-cylindrical foam roller	Almatros, Gebr. Albrecht KG, Germany		z
bulldog clamp	B. Braun Aesculap, Germany		aa
flexible vessel cannula	Medtronic, USA		ab
vessel loop (Mediloops)	Dispomedica, Germany		ac
Heparin-Natrium (5000 U) in 200ml saline	B. Braun, Germany		ad
Langenbeck hooks	B. Braun Aesculap, Germany		ae
sutures (polygalctin 910, Vicryl 2-0, 4-0; poly ethylene terephthalate, Ethibond 2-0)	Ethicon, Johnson & Johnson, USA		af
Endoscopic vessel harvesting system, Vasoview Hemopro II	Maquet, Getinge Group, Germany		ag
Octenidindihydrochloride, Octeniderm	Schuelke & Mayr GmbH, Germany