Minimally Invasive Vein Harvest

It is well demonstrated that the use of the Internal Mammary Artery as a by-pass conduit is directly related to the patient’s long-term survival. The use of arterial conduits is a measure of quality in coronary bypass surgery, and Dr. Bell-Thomson uses one or more arterial conduits in over 97% of the patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery. This includes right and left internal mammary arteries, radial arteries and gastroepiploic arteries. Saphenous veins are also used in bypass grafting.

When the vein is harvested from the leg, a minimally invasive video assisted technique is used, allowing for a small (one-inch) incision made at the level of the patient’s knee without the need for a long incision or multiple incisions on the leg. This accelerates the patient’s post-operative recovery and is a lot more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.