Which incision is used to harvest the saphenous vein for CABG?

Which incision is used to harvest the saphenous vein for CABG?

• A. Median sternotomy
• B. Leg incision to harvest the saphenous vein
• C. Wrist incision to harvest the radial artery
• D. Neck incision

Answer: (B)

The saphenous vein graft is taken from the leg, so the incision is placed along the leg to harvest the vein. The saphenous vein runs superficially in the leg, and a leg incision (often along the medial side) allows the surgeon to expose, mobilize, and remove a segment for use in bypass grafting. Opening the chest with a median sternotomy is how the heart is accessed, not how the vein is harvested. Harvesting the radial artery from the wrist is a different conduit option, and a neck incision would not be used to obtain the saphenous vein.

The saphenous vein graft is taken from the leg, so the incision is placed along the leg to harvest the vein. The saphenous vein runs superficially in the leg, and a leg incision (often along the medial side) allows the surgeon to expose, mobilize, and remove a segment for use in bypass grafting. Opening the chest with a median sternotomy is how the heart is accessed, not how the vein is harvested. Harvesting the radial artery from the wrist is a different conduit option, and a neck incision would not be used to obtain the saphenous vein.