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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.
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.
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 patients1,2,3,4. The question arises of how physicians can harvest the saphenous vein with optimal graft qual....
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.......
A steep learning curve was demonstrated for an experienced cardiac surgeon performing antegrade EVH of the great saphenous vein from the lower leg (Figure 4). There were no conversions to surgical harvesting. However, there were four cases of vein injury in the beginning of the learning curve. In three of the four cases, major injuries occurred at the distal portion of the vein because of an inadequately narrow working channel when the surgeon isolated the vein above the tibial metaphysis. D.......
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 patients14,15,16,17. However, there are valid reasons for a "single IMA plus vein grafts" strategy, especially in patients at advanced ages, patients with.......
We thank the entire surgical staff for excellent technical assistance.
....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 |
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