Ingredients

Mayo vein stripper

11-blade scalpel

Artery forceps

Ties

Ligaclips

Technique

Make an incision in the groin to find the saphenous vein.

Ligate the vein. The distal part of the graft is tied off with a long tie. Insert the tied off distal part into the lumen of the Mayo vein stripper.

Push it down until it is stopped by a tributary – puckering is seen on the surface of the skin.

Make a stab incision, clip the tributary as far away from the vein as possible. Cut the branch short enough to apply clips later.

Bring out the vein at the site of the stab incision, and repeat the above process. The tributary may be adhered to the main vessel.

At the end of the harvest, ligate and divide the distal end, and mark it with a long tie.

Test the vein, applying clips or suturing with 7-0 prolene.

Close the wounds with staples and or sutures.