Minimally invasive vein harvesting in femoropopliteal bypass surgery: does using an old technique give new perspectives? Short report of five patients

Abstract

Background: Femoropopliteal bypass surgery is the most commonly performed type of peripheral bypass in vascular surgery. The great saphenous vein (GSV) is the preferred bypass conduit. Commonly used methods of GVS harvesting are related to morbidity, such as wound infection, skin necrosis, hematoma, and edema.

Methods: In this feasibility study we present an "old-new" way of harvesting of the GSV by inversion stripping, which is significantly less invasive than conventional GSV harvesting, resulting in less morbidity.

Results: All patients recovered uneventfully and all lower limb wounds healed with conventional wound management. No excessive bruising was seen in the VSM trail nor were there any surgical wound infections.

Conclusions: The inversion stripping of the GSV is an easy, safe, and minimally invasive harvesting technique for bypass surgery.