Benefits and high patency endoscopic vein harvesting in a flap in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery

When people have coronary artery bypass surgery (heart bypass), surgeons often need to use a vein from the leg to create the bypass. Traditionally, a long cut is made down the leg to harvest this vein, which can cause wound complications. This study is investigating a newer approach where the vein is removed through a single small incision using an endoscope and a special energy device, with the vein kept in a protective sleeve of surrounding tissue rather than being 'skeletonised'. The researchers believe keeping the surrounding tissue intact may reduce leg wound problems and help the bypass vein stay open longer. Participants undergoing coronary bypass surgery are assigned to either the new endoscopic technique or the standard method, and both groups are followed to compare healing of the leg wound, complications, and how well the bypass grafts stay open over time. You may be eligible if you have coronary artery disease and are scheduled for bypass surgery, with a body mass index similar to the overall study group (to control for wound healing differences related to weight). People having heart valve surgery at the same time, or those with varicose veins in the legs, are not eligible.