Comparison of endoscopic and conventional great saphenous vein harvesting in coronary artery bypass grafting / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical effects of endoscopic great saphenous vein harvesting(ESVH) in coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods Endoscopic great saphenous vein harvesting was performed in 89 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG) from April 2004 to May 2005.An incision 2 cm in length was made on the knee joint and the great saphenous vein was harvested using the VasoView-5 system.Clinical data of the 89 patients(Endoscopic Group) were compared with another 38 patients undergoing conventional great saphenous vein harvesting for CABG from April 2003 to March 2005(Conventional Group) in respect of complications of the leg, the recovery time to walking,and the patency rate at 6 postoperative months.Results The number of harvested vein grafts in the Endoscopic Group was 2~3(mean,2.6).Complications of the leg were significantly less in the Endoscopic Group(6/89) than in the Conventional Group(8/38)(?~2=4.197,P=0.040).The occurrence of pain and numbness of the leg was 7/89 in the Endoscopic Group and 36/38 in the Conventional Group(?~2=89.740,P=0.000).The occurrence of swelling of the leg was 9/89 in the Endoscopic Group and 30/38 in the Conventional Group(?~2=59.299,P=0.000).The recovery time to walking was significantly shorter in the Endoscopic Group(2.3?0.9 d) than in the Conventional Group(3.4?1.6 d)(t=-4.952,P=0.000).There was no significant difference in the patency rate at 6 postoperative months between the Endoscopic Group(96.0%,48/50) and the Conventional Group(95.3%,19/20)(?~2=0.000,P=1.000).Conclusions Use of endoscopic vein harvesting in coronary artery bypass grafting decreases the incidence of postoperative leg-wound infections,post-operative pain,and length of hospital stay.