Totally endoscopic myocardial revascularization: an experimental study.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of performing totally endoscopic myocardial revascularization through the abdominal cavity. METHODS AND RESULTS: The right gastroepiploic artery was harvested endoscopically through three troacars in 46 human cadavers. Then, a 5-cm hole was made in the diaphragm to expose the right coronary artery. With the help of two vacuum pods, we fixed a site of the right coronary artery and made a right gastroepiploic artery-right coronary artery anastomosis. In 20 cases, continuous Prolene suture was used, and in 26 experiments, we applied a sutureless technique. Twenty-three anastomosis were patent. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low patency rate, the transabdominal approach of totally endoscopic bypass grafting is promising and demands further investigation.