Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2008;16:43-46
© 2008 Asia Publishing EXchange Ltd
Endoscopic Radial Artery Harvesting: Patient Satisfaction and Complications
Satoru Nishida, MD,
Yujiro Kikuchi, MD,
Go Watanabe, MD,
Munehisa Takata, MD,
Shigeki Ito, MD,
Kenji Kawachi, MD
Division of Cardiac Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
For reprint information contact: Satoru Nishida, MD, Tel: 81 3 3342 6111 Ext. 2104, Fax: 81 3 3349 2950, Email: snishida{at}k6.dion.ne.jp, Division of Cardiac Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, 6-7-1 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan.
Endoscopic radial artery harvesting was recently introduced to reduce the morbidity associated with conventional open harvesting and improve cosmetic outcomes. From January 2004 through December 2006, 25 radial arteries were harvested endoscopically from 25 patients using the VasoView endoscopic system. Bilateral radial arteries were harvested from 6 patients by both the endoscopic and open techniques, and postoperative patient satisfaction was assessed using a visual analogue scale. Mean harvesting time was 61.9 ± 16.0 min (range, 44–105 min), and mean harvested conduit length was 16.8 ± 2.0 cm (range, 15–19 cm). Objective dorsal thenar numbness remained in 2 patients (8%); none complained of forearm numbness. All patients expressed marked satisfaction with the endoscopic technique and the small incision. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher with the endoscopic technique than with the open technique (visual analogue scale of 9 vs 5). Postoperative angiography revealed occlusion of a graft that had been anastomosed to a small diagonal branch. The overall graft patency was 96.6%. Endoscopic radial artery harvesting can be performed safely with infrequent complications. This method results in excellent patient satisfaction, particularly regarding the cosmetic outcome.
Copyright © 2008 by the Asia Publishing EXchange Ltd.
