Objective To explore perioperative outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG） using the radialartery as the second arterial graft. Methods Clinical data of 175 consecutive patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting （OPCAB） in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from August 2011 to April 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. All the 175 patients were divided into two groups. There were 75 patients including 49 male and 26 female patients with their age of 56.8±8.2 years in group 1，who received radial artery as a graft vessel. There were 100patients including 66 male and 34 female patients with their age of 57.7±8.1 years in group 2，who received great saphenousvein but not radial artery as the graft vessel. The use of left internal mammary artery as a graft vessel was 100% in both groups. Perioperative cardiovascular events and other clinical results were compared between the two groups. Results All the patients survived OPCAB and there was no 30-day death. There was no statistical difference in operation time，thoracic drainage within the first 24 hours after surgery or postoperative hospital stay between the two groups（P＞0.05）. Length of postoperative ICU stay and mechanical ventilation time of group 1 were shorter than those of group 2，although the differencewas not statistically significant. The percentage of patients receiving prolonged postoperative inotropic therapy of group 2 was higher than that of group 1 ［16% （16/100） vs. 12% （9/75）］，although the difference was not statistically significant. Postoperatively，there was no patient in group 1 who had new-onset myocardial ischemia or received intra-aortic balloon pump （IABP） support for hemodynamic instability. In group 2，3 patients had new-onset myocardial ischemia and 2 patientsreceived IABP support after OPCAB. Conclusion Radial artery can partly replace great saphenous vein as a graft vesselfor OPCAB，which does not increase the risk of perioperative cardiovascular events but is beneficial for postoperativerecovery to some degree. Radial artery can be more extensively used in CABG.
Abstract： Objective To evaluate clinical outcomes of endoscopic vein harvesting （EVH）for coronary artery bypass grafting（CABG） in diabetic patients. Methods In this prospective non-randomized control study, patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent CABG from December 2010 to Febuary 2012 in West China Hospital were enrolled. Based on different vein graft harvesting technique, these patients were divided into two groups: an EVH group and a conventional vein harvesting（CVH）group. Perioperative complications were compared between the two groups. Interventional or CT coronary angiogram was used to evaluate bypass graft patency during follow-up. Results A total of 51 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in this study with 24 patients in the EVH group and 27 patients in the CVH group. There was no statistical difference in age, weight, and comorbidities between the two groups. There was no statistical difference in cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamping time between the two groups （67.2±9.8 min versus 68.3±14.5 min, P＞0.05; 62.4±11.3 min versus 65.2±10.3 min, P＞ 0.05）. The vein graft harvesting time （35.6±6.4 min versus 45.2±11.4 min, P＜ 0.05）and rate of delayed leg wound healing（0.0% with 0/24 versus 18.5% with 5/27, P＜0.05） of the EVH group were significantly shorter or lower than those of CVH group.There was no statistical difference in major postoperative complications with respect to venous graft failure rate and chest pain during short term follow-up（9.1 months in the CVH group and 9.4 months in the EVH group） between the two groups. Conclusion EVH is a safe, effective, minimally invasive and quick vein graft harvesting technique for CABG in diabetic patients.
Abstract： Objective To compare minimally invasive technique with multiple short incisions and traditional open technique for great saphenous vein (GSV) harvesting in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods Fortyseven patients underwent first time CABG between November 2007 to January 2009. These patients included 37 males and 10 females with their age ranged from 43 to 78 years and their average age was 61.3±84 years old. The patients were prospectively randomized into the minimally invasive harvesting group (group A,n=21) and the traditional open harvesting group (group B, n=26). For group A, we adopted the method of minimally invasive technique with multiple short incisions, while for group B, the traditional long incisions were adopted. The incision length, GSV harvesting time, lower limbs suture time and incision complications were compared between the two groups. Results During harvesting, no injury to the saphenous vein trunk or complications related to the quality of venous grafts occurred in both groups. There were no significantly differences in the number of venous grafts and the GSV length between the two groups. Group A had significantly longer GSV harvesting time than group B (51.9±11.5 min vs. 40.3±7.6 min,P=0.000). However, incision length (16.1±4.1 cm vs. 49.2±7.2 cm, P=0.000), incision suture time (11.0±3.0 min vs. 33.6±4.8 min,P=0.000) and lower limbs total operation time (62.6±14.9 min vs.73.8±11.6 min,P=0.006) in group A were much shorter than those in group B. Fortyseven patients were followed up (100%) and the followup time ranged from 3 to 26 months. The rate of leg wound complications such as serous exudates, hematomas and wound infection was 4.8% (1/21) in Group A and 34.6% (9/26) in Group B. These complications were all cured with additional treatments. Group A had lower leg wound complication rate than Group B (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Our study demonstrates that minimally invasive technique for GSV harvesting can be performed at a satisfactory speed and helpful in decreasing the lower limb incision complication rate.
Abstract: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is one of the conventional treatments of coronary artery disease. Though the artery grafts have its own superiority, autologous great saphenous vein is still commonly used. Ten years after operation, half of the vein grafts will be occluded and half of the remainder will often undergo severe pathological conditions. The poor long term patency of vein grafts has become the bottleneck of the efficiency of CABG. The restenosis of vein grafts resulting from neointima and atherosclerosis has become an urgent problem waiting to be resolved. As the study on the molecular mechanism and pathophysiology of the vein grafts disease develops, many therapeutic schedules have been made, including drug therapy, external stent, expanding solution and gene therapy. By contrast, gene therapy has a broader prospect. This article will have a review on the prevention of restenosis of the vein grafts after CABG.
Objective To compare the condition of the structure and oxidative stress of great saphenous vein grafts between the patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to study the mechanisms for providing the theory evidence ofthe protective way for great saphenous vein graft in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods The segments of human great saphenous vein graft were collected from 36 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, who were divided into 2 groups, experimental group (17 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus) and control group (19 patients without type 2 diabetes mell itus). There was no significant difference in age, gender, hypertension, serum creatinine, hyperl ipidemia, smoking, and the number of pathological coronary arteries between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Two cm distal great saphenous vein from each patient was obtained. The structure of great saphenous vein was observed by the microscope, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase enzymatic activity and superoxide anion level were quantified by lucigenin-enhanced chemilumi nescence. Results The NADPH oxidase activity and superoxide anion levels were significantly higher in experimental group [(308.8 ± 33.7) counts/μg and (1 951.71 ± 355.2) counts/(min.mg)] than in control group [(202.7 ± 29.5) counts/μg and (1 230.73 ± 340.5) counts/(min.mg)] (P lt; 0.05). HE staining showed the damage of ultrastructure of great saphenous vein endothel ium in experimental group, including necrosis and exfol iation of endoepithel ial cells, spl itting of the basement membrane, thickened lower layer of the endothelium with vacuoles and deformed vascular smooth muscle cells; however, integrated vessel intima was observed in control group.
Objective To provide the anatomic basis for defect repair of the knee, leg, foot and ankle with great saphenous venosaphenous neurocutaneous vascular island flaps. Methods The origin, diameter, branches, distribution and anatomoses of the saphenous artery and saphenous neurocutaneous vascular were observed on 20 sides of adult leg specimens and 4 fresh cadaver voluntary legs. Another4 fresh cadaver voluntary legs were radiogeaphed with a soft X-ray system afterthe intravenous injection of Vermilion and cross-sections under profound fascial, otherhand, micro-anatomic examination was also performed in these 4 fresh cadaver legs. The soft tissue defects in lower extremity,upper extremity, heel or Hucou in handwere repaired with the proximal or distal pedicle flaps or free flaps in 18 patients(12 males and 6 females,aging from 7 to 3 years). The defect was caused by trauma, tumour, ulcer and scar.The locations were Hucou (1 case), upper leg(3 cases), lower extremity and heal (14 cases). Of then, 7 cases were complicatedby bone exposure, 3 cases by tendon exposure and 1 case by steel expouse. the defect size were 4 cm×4 cm to 7 cm×13 cm. The flap sizes were 4 cm×6 cm to 8 cm×15 cm, which pedicle length was 8-11 cm with 2.-4.0 cm fascia and 12 cm skin at width. Results Genus descending genicular artery began from 9.33±0.81 cm away from upper the condylus medialis, it branched saphenous artery accompanying saphenous nerve descendent. And saphenous artery reached the surface of the skin 7.21±0.82 cm away from lower the condylus medialis,and anastomosed with the branches of tibialis posterior artery, like “Y” or “T” pattern. The chain linking system of arteries were found accompanying along the great saphenous vein as saphenous nerve, and then a axis blood vessel was formed. The small artery of only 00-0.10 mm in diameter, distributed around the great saphenousvein within 58 mm and arranged parallelly along the vein like water wave in soft X-ray film. All proximal flaps,distal pedicle flaps and free flaps survived well. The appearance, sensation and function were satisfactory in 14 patientsafter a follow-up of 6-12 months. Conclusion The great saphenous vein as well as saphenous neurocutaneous has a chain linking system vascular net. A flap with the vascular net can be transplanted by free, by reversed pedicle, or by direct pedicle to repair the wound of upper leg and foot. A superficial vein-superficial neurocutaneous vascular flap with abundance blood supply and without sacrificing a main artery is a favouriate method in repair of soft tissue defects in foot and lower extremity.
Objective To investigate the origin of small saphenous vein of distally-based of sural nerve nutrient vessels flap and its clinical application. Methods The origins of nutrient vessels of small saphenousvein and communicating branches of superficial-deep vein were observed on specimens of 30 adult cadaveric low limbs by perfusing red gelatin to dissect the artery. Results The nutrient vessels of small saphenous vein originated from the heel lateral artery, the terminal perforator branches of peroneal artery and intermuscular septum perforating branches of peroneal artery. There were 2 to 5 branches ofsuch distally-based perforating branches whose diameters ranged from 0.6 to 1.0 mm. Those perforating branches included fascia branches, cutaneous branches nerve and vein nutrient branches. Those nutrient vessels formed a longitudinalvessel chain of sural nerve shaft, vessel chain of vein side and vessel networkof deep superficial fascia. The small saphenous vein had 1 to 2 communicating branches of superficial-deep vein whose diameter was 1.7±0.5 mm， 3.4±0.9 cm to the level of cusp of lateral malleolus, and converged into the fibular vein. Conclusion Distally-based sural nerve, small saphenous vein, and nutrient vessles of fascia skin have the same region. The communicating branches of superficial-deep vein is 3 to 4 cm to the level of cusp lateral malleolus. These communicating branches could improve the venousdrainage of the flap.
Objective To investigate the distribution of the perforating branches artery of distally-based flap of sural nerve nutrient vessels and its clinical application. Methods The origins and distribution of perforating branchesartery of distally-based flap were observed on specimens of 30 adult cadavericlow limbs by perfusing red gelatin to dissect the artery.Among the 36 cases, there were 21 males, 15 females. Their ages ranged from 6 to 66, 35.2 in average. The defect area was 3.5 cm×2.5 cm to 17.0 cm×11.0 cm. The flap taken ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 18 cm×12 cm. Results The perforating branches artery of distally-based flap had 2 to 5 branches and originated from the heel lateral artery, the terminal perforating branches of peroneal artery(diameters were 0.6±0.2 mm and 0.8±0.2 mm, 1.0±1.3 cm and 2.8±1.0 cm to the level of cusp lateral malleolus cusp).The intermuscular septum perforating branches of peroneal artery had 0 to 3 branches. Their rate of presence was 96.7%,66.7% and 20.0% respectively(the diameters were 0.9±0.3, 1.0±0.2 and 0.8±0.4 mm, andtheir distances to the level of cusp of lateral malleolus were 5.3±2.1, 6.8±2.8 and 7.0±4.0 cm). Those perforating branches included fascia branches, cutaneous branches, nerve and vein nutrient branches. Those nutrient vessels formed longitudinal vessel chain of sural nerve shaft, vessel chain of vein side and vessel network of deep superficial fascia. The distally-based superficial sural artery island flap was used in 18 cases, all flaps survived. Conclusion Distally-based sural nerve, small saphenous vein, and nutrient vessels of fascia skin have the same origin. Rotation point of flap is 3.0 cm to the cusp of lateral malleolus, when the distally-based flap is pedicled with the terminal branch of peroneal artery.Rotation point of flap is close to the cusp of lateral malleolus, when the distally-based flap is pedicled with the heel lateral artery.
Objective To investigatethe anatomic structure of the compound flap of distally-based saphenous nervegreat saphenous vein nutritional vessels so as to provide anatomic basis for the clinical operation. Methods The origin, branches, anastomosis of nutritional vessels of sural nerve-great saphenous vein, and the relationof blood supply of tibia and soleus muscle were observed on 30 low limb specimens of adult cadaver, which were perfused with red gelatin to dissect from the artery. Results The nutritional vessels of sural nerve-great saphenous vein originated from: the saphenous artery 3-5 branches with a diameter of 0.7±0.4 mm；the cutaneous branches of medial inferior genicular artery, diameter of 0.7±0.2 mm；the intermuscular space perforating branches of posterior tibial artery 2-7 branches with a diameter of 1.0±0.2 mm，the internus halfside of the muscular branches nutrient soleus muscle；the perforating osteoseptocutaneous 1-2 branches with a diameter of 1.3±0.3 mm; the perforating branches of superior malleolus with a diameter of 0.6±0.2 mm; the perforating branches of medial anterior malleolus with a diameter of 0.8±0.3 mm. A vascularnetwork of 3 layers, which included periosteum, deep artery, and fascia nerve and superficial vein, was formed by those branches of deep artery, fascia branches, periosteum branches, and nerve-vein nutrition branches. Conclusion The nutritional vessels of saphenous nerve-great saphenous vein has the same origin as muscles, bones, and cutaneous nutritional vessels. It provides anatomic basis for the compound flap of distally-based saphenous nerve nutritional vessels.
Objective To investigate the clinical feasibility of different types of the saphenous neuro-veno-fascial cutaneous flaps. Methods From June 1996 to October 2002, 18 cases of skin defects in the knee and the lower part of the limb were treated with proximally(4 cases) or distally(11 cases) based pedicles of saphenous neuro-venofascial cutaneous flap or crossleg flap (3 cases)according to the site of defects . The sizes of the flaps ranged from 4 cm×5 cm to 9 cm×20 cm. Results The flaps survived completely in 17 cases, distal 1/5 of the flap necrosed partially in 1 case because of vein drainage disturbance. The colour and texture of flaps were excellent, the appearance and function were satisfactory after a follow up of 6-24 months.Conclusion The saphenous neuro-veno-fascial cutaneous flap is an idea flap in repairing skin defects of the knee, the leg, the ankle and the foot because it is easy to be designed and dissected and it has reliable blood supply and preserved main artery. The relationship between the septal perforating branches of the tibial posteriorartery and survival size of flap need to be investigated further.