Simultaneous endoscopic radial artery and great saphenous vein harvesting for redo coronary artery bypass grafting. A report of two cases.

Abstract

AIM: An ageing population and increase in patient co-morbidities are forcing cardiac surgeons to meticulously consider the benefits and risks of respective conduits and their harvesting techniques. CASE REPORts: Two cases of simultaneous endoscopic radial artery and great saphenous vein harvesting, for redo coronary artery bypass grafting, are presented. A shortage of venous conduits after previous bypass grafting, as well as the presentation of several risk factors of wound-healing complications, favoured simultaneous utilisation of both endoscopic techniques. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic vessel harvesting together with the pre-harvesting duplex study is able to gain not only high-quality conduits but also minimize the risk of wound-healing and neurological disturbances associated the saphenous vein and radial artery harvesting.