Skeletonized internal thoracic artery harvesting using the Harmonic Focus ultrasonic scalpel.

ABSTRACT: The hook-type blade of Harmonic ultrasonic scalpel has conventionally been used for skeletonized harvesting of the internal thoracic artery (ITA) graft in coronary artery bypass grafting. However, supply of the blade became unstable for a period of time. During the period, another harvesting technique was necessary. Herein, we present a new skeletonized ITA graft harvesting technique using the shear-type blade of Harmonic ultrasonic scalpel. The Harmonic Focus^TM+ (HF) has a shear-type blade. The closed-shear mode is used for blunt dissection of surrounding fat tissue. The open-shear mode is useful for precise lesion dissection. The vessel branch can be sealed and cut by clamping the branch between the tissue pad and blade. Thirty-one patients who underwent coronary artery bypass

SUBMITTER: Hosono M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12603396 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature