Saphenous vein graft preparation with conventional or Mayo vein stripper method: Which one is better?

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the results graft extraction with the Mayo stripper method versus conventional methods.Patients and methods: Between January 01, 2005 and January 01, 2006, a total of 610 patients (344 males, 266 females; mean age 70.3;range 55.1 to 82.1 years) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were included. The patients were divided into two groupsas the Mayo stripper method group (Group A, n=300) and conventional method group (Group B, n=310). Saphenous vein grafts wereprepared for the patients in Group A using the Mayo stripper method and saphenous vein graft was prepared in Group B patients with onelong incision using the conventional method. Pre-, intra- and postoperative data were collected, and the patients were followed for 30 days.Appropriate parts of the saphenous graft samples were examined histologically.Results: There was no significant difference between the pre- and postoperative data (p<0.05). Among postoperative outcomes, pain, edema,hematoma, and discharge were significantly more frequent in Group B (p<0.05). Of the patients with hematoma, 86.3% were hypertensive.While no necrosis was observed in Group A, seven patients developed necrosis in the saphenous vein incision in Group B. Of these patients,four underwent surgical revision.Conclusion: Based on our study results, we suggest that preparation of the saphenous vein graft with the Mayo stripper method can yieldbetter results than conventional methods.