Conventional versus Minimally Invasive Vein Harvesting: A Clinical Audit of Wound Dehiscence Complications

OBJECTIVE: To determine the wound complications post coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) by conventional vein harvest technique (CVH) and minimally invasive vein harvest technique (MIVH) in Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical audit report.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru, Malaysia, from March 2016 to May 2017.

METHODOLOGY: Data were collected retrospectively from all 127 patients who underwent CABG with saphenous vein grafts, either with CVH technique (n=68), or MIVH technique (n=59) performed with Vasoview system. The rate of wound dehiscence was evaluated. Patients with severe wound dehiscence that required readmission and surgical intervention were identified for further evaluation.

RESULTS: There was total 26.8% of wound dehiscence in our study, which was not appreciably different between two groups (p=0.092). Patient with severe wound breakdown that required surgical intervention was significantly less in MIVH group (1/59, 1.7%) compared to CVH group (8/68, 11.8%, p=0.037). There was no significant difference in readmission rate between MIVH and CVH group (p=0.574).

CONCLUSION: There is significant reduction in severity of wound dehiscence post-saphenous vein harvesting among CABG patients with MIVH technique. However, there is no statistical difference in wound dehiscence and readmission rate between MIVH and CVH technique.