Early Outcomes of Endoscopic Vein Harvesting during the Initial Learning Period

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) method has been used in coronary artery bypass surgery in many countries. We started using the EVH method recently, and investigated the results during the early learning period. METHODS: Between March 2012 and June 2014, 75 patients (31 patients in the EVH method group, and 44 patients in the open method group) who underwent isolated first-time coronary artery bypass grafting using vein grafts were retrospectively analyzed with respect to the early outcomes including graft patency and risk factors for leg wound complications. For assessing the patency of vein graft, we performed coronary computed tomography angiography during the immediate postoperative period and 6 months later. RESULTS: Mean harvesting time of endoscopic method was about 15 minutes. Patency rate during the immediate operative period and the 6-month patency rate were similar between the two groups (postoperative period: EVH 100% vs. open method 94.4%, p=0.493; at 6 months: EVH 93.3% vs. open method 90.9%, p=0.791). Leg wound complications occurred more frequently in the open method group (EVH 3.2% vs. open method 13.6%, p=0.127). According to the analysis, age was an independent risk factor for leg wound complications. CONCLUSION: EVH is a feasible method even for beginners and can be performed satisfactorily during their learning period.

Hybrid Coronary Revascularization Using Limited Incisional Full Sternotomy Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Multivessel Disease: Early Results

BACKGROUND: There are several modalities of coronary artery revascularization for multivessel coronary artery disease. Hybrid coronary revascularization (HCR) with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting was introduced for high-risk patients, and recently, many centers have been using it. Limited incisional full sternotomy coronary artery bypass (LIFCAB) involves left internal thoracic artery (LITA)-to-left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) anastomosis through a sternotomy with a minimal skin incision; it could be considered another technique for minimally invasive LITA-to-LAD anastomosis. Our center has performed HCR using LIFCAB, and in this paper, we report our short-term results, obtained in the past 3 years. METHODS: The medical records of 38 patients from May 2010 to June 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The observation period after HCR was 1 to 37 months (average, 18.3+/-10.3 months). The patency of revascularization was confirmed with postoperative coronary angio-computerized tomography or coronary angiography. RESULTS: There were 3 superficial wound complications, but no mortalities. All the LITA-to-LAD anastomoses were patent in the immediate postoperative and follow-up studies, but stenosis was detected in 3 cases of percutaneous coronary intervention. CONCLUSION: HCR using LIFCAB is safe and yields satisfactory results from the viewpoint of revascularization for multivessel disease.