[Endoscopic radial artery harvesting].

The radial artery is a popular arterial conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, the traditional open harvesting technique requires a long incision, and is therefore associated with some wound complications and cosmetic problems. In order to solve them, we introduced the endoscopic radial artery harvesting (ERAH) at our institution in February 2004 utilizing the VasoView system. The ERAH technique was performed as safely as the traditional open technique and the harvested radial arteries were acceptable as CABG conduits. In particular, patients are satisfied with the excellent cosmetic results of the procedure. Herein, we focus surgical technique, complications of ERAH and ways to prevent them by describing our initial experience and short-term clinical follow-up of the ERAH patients.