Endoscopic radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting. A single center evolving experience.

AIM We sought to evaluate our experience with endoscopic radial artery harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS From October 2005 to June 2010, 50 patients who underwent endoscopic radial artery harvesting for an elective CABG were prospectively assessed for harvesting characteristics, complications, postoperative and mid-term outcomes. RESULTS There were 34 (68%) males and 16 (32%) females, average age 60.8 ± 9.2 years. All but two RA grafts (96%) were successfully harvested endoscopically. Mean harvesting time was 46.2 ± 9.3 min and mean length of harvested grafts was 23.4 ± 2.2 cm. In the post-operative period there were no wound-healing complications; residual forearm edema was recorded in 6 patients (12%) and peripheral neuropathy in 4 patients (8%). At 3 months after the surgery, peripheral neuropathy and residual edema persisted in 2 patients (4%). A significant drop of overall harvesting time (56.2 ± 18.6 vs. 38.6 ± 8.6 min, P<0.05) and forearm ischemia time (41.8 ± 12.7 vs. 24.2 ± 3.2 min, P<0.01) was found between first and last ten cases in the group. CONCLUSION Endoscopic radial artery harvesting was associated with low risk of post-harvesting complications and most of these disappeared within a 3 months follow-up. However, there was a significant learning curve.