Saphenous Vein Harvested By Endoscopic And Conventional Open Methods In Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Comparative Study Based Upon Histological Analysis

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of open vein harvest (OVH) and endoscopic vein harvest (EVH) on injury of greater saphenous veins based upon histological analysis. Methods: 20 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were enrolled during September and December in 2014. Greater saphenous vein was selected as Blood Vessel Bridge. Those patients were divided into OVH group and EVH group. All the harvested veins satisfied with the requirements of Blood Vessel Bridge. Postoperative wound complications and continuity, integrity and uniformity of the tissue were evaluated using different staining methods. Results: The incidence of postoperative wound complications in EVH group was less than that in OVH group. There were no obvious differences on vascular injury of the saphenous vein intimal layer, elastic fiber layer, smooth muscle layer and outer membrane layer as observed under the light microscope. Conclusion: EVH method significantly reduces postoperative complications compared with OVH method, without remarkable injury of the saphenous vein. EVH is a safe and effective method for saphenous vein harvest.