A systematic review of cost-effectiveness evidence of endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting: is it efficient?

OBJECTIVE Greater saphenous vein harvest for coronary and lower extremity bypass requires the longest incision of any surgical procedure. Endoscopic vein harvest allows better results in some clinical variables compared to open harvesting techniques. The objective of this study is to present the results of a systematic review of the scientific evidence about the efficiency of endoscopic saphenous vein harvest. METHODS We performed a systematic review in the bibliographical databases Pubmed, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database, and NHS Health Technology Assessment Database. The search strategy was "endoscopic AND harvesting", in the period January 1970-December 2009. RESULTS We identified only 3 economic evaluation studies, 2 cost analyses with some methodological limitations, and 1 cost-utility analysis. All of them suggest lower hospital costs for endoscopic harvesting. CONCLUSIONS Available evidence does not allow recommendations to be made based on the efficiency of endoscopic saphenous vein harvest, although it suggests lower costs for endoscopic harvesting. More scientific evidence about the long-term efficacy and the effectiveness of this technique is necessary, with studies measuring final outcomes, and carrying out complete and rigorous economic evaluations.