AccuVein® fails to facilitate venous marking for saphenous veins harvesting in untrained students

CONTEXT: Ultrasound marking of saphenous veins before vein harvesting facilitates the surgical procedure but is time-consuming. AIM: We evaluated the time benefit of saphenous veins marking by the AccuVein® AV400 system (AccuVein Inc., NY, USA) coupled with ultrasound, over ultrasound alone. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Multi-center open-label randomized interventional study in two parallel groups. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: After randomization, saphenous veins markings were performed using either AccuVein® coupled with ultrasound or ultrasound alone. One-leg marking time, vascular physician postexamination satisfaction rating, and number of single-use felt markers used were recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: The continuous variables were compared using the Fisher test, whereas Likert scale scores were compared using the nonparametric Mann−Whitney test. The learning effect was evaluated by linear and nonlinear regression models. RESULTS: The average duration of saphenous veins marking (459 ± 184 vs 555 ± 226 s, P = 0.116) and the number of felt markers used were not significantly different between the two techniques. Vascular physician satisfaction was significantly lower with than without the AccuVein® associated to ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: AccuVein® examination coupled with ultrasound as part of the marking process does not provide a significant benefit in terms of time, satisfaction, or need for markers.