Endoscopic harvesting of radial artery graft for coronary artery bypass

The radial artery is used frequently in cardiac revascularization and requires an average 23-cm forearm incision. With proper instrumentation (Tsukuba-West Virginia Endoscopic Radial Artery: TW-ERA series, Takumi Cardio Co., Chiba, Japan), the radial artery can be harvested utilizing two small transverse incisions. The authors report six cases of endoscopic harvest of a radial artery graft. Length of the endoscopic incision is 2 cm proximally and 3 cm distally. Operation time and tourniquet times were approximately 80 to 120 minutes. No complications such as hematomas, nerve damage, or delay in healing were observed at the donor sites. Plastic surgeons, with their expertise in radial forearm flaps, hand surgery, and subcutaneous endoscopic techniques, can contribute greatly to the minimally invasive harvesting of the radial artery, preventing associated morbidity and improving the aesthetic and functional outcome of the donor site.