HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Li, C. Y. Articles by Wang, J. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Li, C. Y. Articles by Wang, J. S.

Minimally Invasive Vein Harvest for Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Division of Cardiovascular Surgery Department of Surgery National Yang Ming Medical College and Veterans General Hospital Taipei, Taiwan

For reprint information contact:Li Chiu Yang, MDDivision of Cardiovascular Surgery, Dept. of Surgery National Yang Ming Medical College and Veterans General Hospital 201 Sec 2 Shih Pai Road Taipei, Taiwan ROC Tel: 886 2 2875 7495 Fax: 886 2 2875 7656 Email:cyli{at}vghtpe.gov.tw

Between October 1996 and August 1997, 56 endoscopic vein harvests were performed with video monitoring. Incisions of 2 to 3 cm in length were made at the groin and above or below the knee. The harvested veins were used for coronary artery bypass grafting. The complication rate was 1.8%. The average hospital stay for patients undergoing the endoscopic procedure was 7.2 days. All incisions had healed well at the 12-week follow-up. Endoscopic saphenous vein harvest provides a minimally invasive alternative to the open procedure. It gives a good cosmetic result, promotes early ambulation, and may reduce postoperative pain.