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Background: The purpose of the clinical evaluation was to investigate the feasibility of an endoscopic radial artery harvesting technique to improve esthetic results and a reduction of neurologic complications.
METHODS: Between January 2004 to September 2005, a total number of 200 patients underwent endoscopic radial artery harvesting in a single center trail. Vessel Harvesting System®, and Harmonic Scalpel® (Cardiovation, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc, Cincinnati, Ohio) were used. Mean age of the patients was 61 +/- 7,2 years, and 16 % were female. All patients underwent a preoperative Allen test to demonstrate adequate ulnar collateral flow. The nondominant arm was used for radial artery harvesting. Mean clinical follow-up was 14 ± 4.1 days.
RESULTS: The artery was harvested through a 2-3 cm incision at the wrist and was divided at the elbow with the use of the Harmonic Scalpel®, Endoloop, and endoscopic scissors. Mean harvest time was 31.2 +/- 11.9 minutes but decreased from 85 minutes for the first cases to 25 minutes for the last 15 cases. Mean harvested length was 19.6 +/- 1.7 cm. Harvesting complications included 1 conversion, 5 postoperative hematomas, 4 injuries, 6 endoscopically controlled bleedings, and 15 cases of at superficial radial nerve paresthesia.
CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic radial artery harvesting is a feasible procedure that requires a definite learning curve. Although nerve paresthesias were not completely eliminated in our experience. The technique demonstrates a high patient satisfaction and clinical acceptance. Further clinical follow-up is required to determine long-term patency rates