Comparison of Endoscopic Saphenous Vein Harvesting with Open Saphenous Vein Harvesting in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Abstract

Aim: Recently minimally invasive approaches have been gathering more popularity in cardiac surgery. The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of endoscopic versus open harvesting of the great saphenous vein, the most commonly used grafting method in conventional coronary artery bypass surgery on early and long-term complications.

Methods: Included in the study were 60 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting in our clinic using either endoscopic saphenous vein graft (n=30) or open saphenous vein graft (n=30) harvesting. Early follow-up data (wound site complications, pain, major cardiac and cerebrovascular events, etc.) and long-term data (major adverse cardiac and cerabral events (MACCE), recurrent angina pectoris, revascularization, tc.) were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: The rate of edema and pain was significantly lower in the EVH group (p=0.001), whereas MACCE, recurrent angina pectoris, reintervention and revascularization rates did not significantly differ between the groups in the long term follow-up (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The graft patency rate and the rates of MACCE and recurrent angina pectoris in the long term did not significantly differ between patients undergoing endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting and those undergoing open saphenous vein harvesting. The authors of the present study consider that endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting is an alternative less invasive method that is superior to standard surgical techniques, providing patient comfort and esthetic advantages without causing complications in the long term.