Endoscopic saphenous vein harvesting: Minimally invasive video-assisted saphenectomy

A technique of greater saphenous vein harvesting for coronary artery revascularization using an endoscopic approach is herein detailed. The saphenous vein is directly identified at the knee through a single incision. An endoscopic dissector is advanced proximally and distally along the course of the vein, ligating side-branches with clips. The vein is divided at the ends of dissection, dependent on patient anatomy, by either a counterincision, endoscopic clips, or ligation with an Endo-loop. (C) 1997 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.