Endoscopic vein harvesting with the aid of carbon dioxide insufflation

Endoscopic harvesting of the long saphenous vein has been introduced to decrease the morbidity of obtaining venous conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting. Herein is described an endoscopic method using carbon dioxide insufflation into the tissues around the vein. This has several advantages; improved vision, no physical retraction required, easier development of tissue planes, and improved hemostasis. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.