Harvesting the gastroepiploic artery

Abstract The right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) has been used as an alternative arterial conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for 30 years. The GEA, a unique in situ arterial graft conduit, does not require proximal aortic anastomosis. In our experience the GEA is always harvested by the skeletonization technique, affording a significantly longer and larger conduit. With improved understanding of the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the GEA, proper target vessel selection, and modern skeletonized harvesting using a harmonic scalpel, we expect favorable early outcomes followed by durable long-term results. Here, we describe a simple surgical technique for skeletonizing the GEA.