Does No-Touch Technique Better than Conventional or Intermediate Saphenous Vein Harvest Techniques for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

J Cardiovasc Transl Res. 2018 Dec;11(6):483-494. doi: 10.1007/s12265-018-9832-y. Epub 2018 Oct 12.

Abstract

Saphenous vein (SV) is a common graft being used in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Conventional (CON), intermediate (I), and no-touch (NT) are the most common harvesting techniques of SV for CABG. The aim of this study is to systematically review the NT versus CON and I techniques in harvesting SV for CABG. Twelve databases were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing the CON, I, and NT techniques in harvesting SV for CABG. Twelve reports of six RCTs were included. Our meta-analysis showed that with NT technique, patency rate was significantly higher when compared to I technique up to 18-month follow-up duration. In contrast, this significant difference was not maintained in terms of minor complications of leg wounds with both techniques. The NT has significantly higher patency rate compared to I vein harvesting technique. However, more RCTs are warranted to confirm these results.

Keywords: CABG; Conventional; Intermediate; No-touch; Patency rate; Saphenous vein.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Artery Bypass* / adverse effects
  • Coronary Artery Bypass* / mortality
  • Coronary Artery Disease / mortality
  • Coronary Artery Disease / physiopathology
  • Coronary Artery Disease / surgery*
  • Graft Occlusion, Vascular / etiology
  • Graft Occlusion, Vascular / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Saphenous Vein / physiopathology
  • Saphenous Vein / transplantation*
  • Time Factors
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting / adverse effects
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting / methods*
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting / mortality
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Patency