Endoscopic vein harvesting in coronary artery bypass surgery

The greater saphenous vein is the most available and frequently used conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting. Conventional (open) vein harvesting procedure requires the longitudinal skin and subcutaneous fat incision along the full conduit length. Endoscopic vein harvesting has been developed in the middle-1990s as less invasive alternative for open vein harvesting. Using this novel technique allows to harvest the whole greater saphenous vein through 3 cm long skin incision. The article reviews the history, the role and current status of endoscopic vein harvesting in coronary artery bypass surgery. Literature data of the impact of that minimally invasive approach on infective and non-infective leg wound complications, as well as postoperative pain, patient satisfaction and live quality are presented. The cost-effectiveness data of the method, resulting in reduction of treatment costs of leg wound complications both at the hospital and after patient’s discharge are mentioned. The influence of endoscopic vein harvesting on morphologic and functional conduit quality is discussed. Special attention is devoted to mid- and long-term outcomes after coronary artery bypass surgery with endoscopic vein harvesting. The majority of research including angiographic control gives evidence of comparable parameters of bypass patency after the conventional vein harvesting and endoscopic vein harvesting procedures. Recent multicenter trials showed no statistically significant differences between the conventional vein harvesting and endoscopic vein harvesting procedures in such indirect graft patency indicators as mortality, myocardial infarction rate, need for repeated revascularization and recurrence of angina pectoris. Recent findings advocate safety and clinical effectiveness of endoscopic vein harvesting.