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ABSTRACT 74
MINIMALLY-INVASIVE SAPHENOUS VEIN HARVESTING
REDUCES WOUND SEPSIS AND PAIN
Edward Black, Karen Campbell, Keith Channon, Ravi Pillai
Oxford Heart Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. UK
Hypothesis: We hypothesised that increased traction and
less haemostatic control may increase morbidity.
Methods: 40 patients were prospectively randomized into
minimally-invasive harvesting (MH, n=22) or open harvesting (OH,
n=18). A modified bridging technique was used (SaphLITE). The
wounds were scored for evidence serous exudate, purulent exudate,
separation of the tissues, erythema, additional antibiotics, additional
surgery required, ecchymosis and pain (leg & sternal). Secondary
end-points (operation variables) were also collected. Continuous
variables were analyzed by Students t test and categorical variables
were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: There were no significant demographic differences
between the two groups (height, weight, albumin, diabetes, and
peripheral vascular disease). In the early post-operative period
the MH Group had significantly lower leg wound sepsis scores (p=0.01)
and wound pain (p=0.04). Sternal pain was the same in both groups.
After 6 weeks wound scores and leg pain scores were not significantly
different. There were no significant differences in rate of harvest
(1.1 cm/min in each group).
Conclusions: Minimally-invasive saphenous vein harvesting
significantly reduces early post-operative and wound sepsis and
leg pain.
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