Saphenous vein harvest with the Mayo extraluminal dissector: Is endothelial function preserved?

Histology of saphenous veins in patients undergoing CABG. Transverse sections of saphenous vein harvested using the Mayo stripper (A), conventional preparation (B), and by the “no-touch” technique (C). The adventitia is damaged or removed using conventional methods and the Mayo stripper, whereas this layer remains intact using the “no-touch” technique (C). Also, the “no-touch” vein is surrounded by a cushion of fat (black staining). The arrows indicate the external elastic lamina, the media/adventitia border. Scale bar = 0.5 mm. (Part A was modified from Nowicki M, Buczkowski P, Miskowiak B, Konwerska B, Ostalsk-Nowiska D, Dyszkiewicz W. Immunocytochemical Study on Endothelial Integrity of Saphenous Vein Grafts Harvested by Minimally Invasive Surgery with the Use of Vascular Mayo Strippers. A Randomized Controlled Trial. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2004;27:244-50. Published with permission.)