Open clip-free radial artery harvesting with the harmonic shears.

Background: The Ultracision Harmonic Scalpel is associated with several advantages in radial artery (RA) harvesting. It allows fewer hemostatic clips to close the collateral branches, less thermal injury of the conduit, and reduced time of harvesting in comparison with the conventional RA harvesting technique with electrocautery and hemostatic clips. We recently started open RA harvesting with the harmonic shears (HSH). In this study, we aimed at evaluating the feasibility of this simplified ultrasonically activated harvesting technique, and report the results of RA harvesting with HSH. Methods: The RA harvesting with HSH was performed in 20 patients operated on for myocardial revascularization from July 2004 to December 2005. Results: The harvest of the RA was completed in little time, without any complication. Neither bleeding from the collateral branches nor spasm alongside the entire length of the RA was observed. No bleeding occurred from the muscles of the forearm. Conclusion: This technique of RA harvesting with HSH is impressive in terms of short time of harvest, complete absence of clips for the collateral branches, and no thermal injury of the conduit.