Smaller wounds, easier recovery after heart bypass surgery
Endoscopic vein harvesting uses tiny incisions instead of one long cut, which may reduce pain, speed healing and help suitable patients get moving sooner.
When patients undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, surgeons often focus on the heart, but a significant wound may also develop on the leg where a vein is harvested for the bypass. Traditionally, this vein removal required a long incision on the leg. However, endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) presents a less invasive alternative.
This technique employs a small opening and a camera to guide the removal of the vein, resulting in smaller scars, less pain, quicker wound healing, and a reduced risk of complications. Dr Zamrin Dimon, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, explains that EVH is particularly beneficial for patients who may have difficulty healing, such as those with diabetes.
Despite taking approximately an hour, EVH may still be considered for suitable patients, although it may not always be quicker than the conventional approach.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Smaller wounds, easier recovery after heart bypass surgery freemalaysiatoday.com
