Open Saphenous Vein Harvest - Published Technique?

[timjames]

I'm curious if anyone is aware of any PUBLISHED techniques for the open harvest of saphenous conduit for CABG?

I've searched the available/accessible general surgery texts without finding a detailed skin-to-skin technique described. I've seen informal step by step directions, but I am really looking for an "official" surgical text describing the technique.

Any direction that someone can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Background: I'm a new grad cardiothoracic PA who is very familiar with my institution's open saph. harvesting technique, but would really appreciate finding a formal, in-depth description. I am not looking for descriptions of EVH technique or for a discussion of EVH vs. open.

[andersenpa]

I will find this for you if no one else has a link at hand.
Have you looked at any CTS atlases?


It's not too complex, location of the vein is key, so starting 1 cm prox and med to the medial malleolus and following the vein up. The rest is wound closure technique.

I will post if I can find a formal description.

[timjames]

I appreciate your follow-up! I've found a not very detailed description of the saphenous harvest in Chapter 22 of Cahn (reference and link below), with a more decent description of the radial harvest technique.

I look forward to reading whatever you can find!

Góngora E i , Sundt T Mi I I I . Myocardial Revascularization with Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
Cohn Lh, ed. Cardiac Surgery in the Adult. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008:599-632.

Cardiac Surgery in the Adult -- End User License Agreement (http://cardiacsurgery.ctsnetbooks.org/cgi/content/full/3/2008/599#F2)

[heartPA]

You would benefit by locating a rep for the EVH scope that you plan on using. They can usually assist you with an in person tutorial or put you through a "class" with a leg from the morgue. Usually Maquet and Terumo are the main suppliers for the scopes.

[random_username]

APACVS is now developing a vein harvest course to include open technique, skip incisions, and use of all commercially available EVH systems. Our goal is to roll this course out at our Winter 2013 Meeting in January in Los Angeles. Stay tuned to www.APACVS.org (http://www.APACVS.org) for details as this develops.