[Endoscopic harvesting of saphenous vein during coronary artery bypass operations].

Unlabelled: The great saphenous vein is the most commonly applied conduit in coronary bypass surgery during the treatment of ischaemic heart disease. Regarding the increasing age of patients, multiple comorbid factors and poor patient's general state, the minimally invasive approach is of basic significance during these operations.

Objectives: The aim of study was to evaluate the possibilities of endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting and the quality of saphenous veins harvested endoscopically.

Methods: The authors applied the endoscopic approach for saphena harvesting in 24 patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery or combined bypass surgery with valve reconstruction. Ten of the harvested veins were sent for histologic examination to evaluate the structure of the endothelial layer.

Results: No wound complications were noted with the endoscopic approach. The harvested veins were used as conduits during surgery except for 2 cases, where the calibre of the vein was too small to apply. The histologic examination revealed normal structure of the endothelial layer in all of the 10 cases.

Conclusion: The endoscopic approach can be used in the harvesting of saphenous vein during coronary bypass surgery. For the time being, the apply of this approach is restricted by the longer operation time, which hopefully would be reduced in the future.