What is Endoscopic (Closed) Saphenous Vein Removal?

It is the process of endoscopically (closed) removing the large saphenous vein that starts from the inner ankle of both lower legs and extends up to the femoral region, used in coronary bypass surgeries performed with minimal invasive and total sternotomy.

Before the surgery, after the patient is asleep, rhythmic palpation is performed over the inner ankle to identify the incision site for the saphenous vein. Once the location of the saphenous vein is identified, it is marked with a pen. A 1 cm incision is made at the marked location. The saphenous vein is located, and its surroundings are prepared to allow the placement of the trocar. In minimal invasive surgery, a trocar is a medical instrument used for the operation and visualization of surgical tools. The leg vein (Saphenous Vein) is removed by the closed method, through this 1 cm incision, using specially designed optics and cannulas from the ankle to the groin. The small incision is aesthetically closed, dressing is applied, and the leg is wrapped with an elastic bandage.

The leg vein (saphenous vein) used in all coronary bypass surgeries performed in our hospital, both with open and closed methods, is removed endoscopically (closed).

In overweight and diabetic patients, where wound healing may be challenging, endoscopic saphenous removal, performed with a small incision, is especially preferred in such cases.

Endoscopic saphenous removal generally provides a faster recovery process compared to traditional surgical methods due to its less invasive nature. However, the recovery process may vary depending on the patient’s condition and the complexity of the procedure.

Advantages of endoscopic saphenous removal include:

• No leg pain,
• Lower risk of infection,
• Faster recovery compared to open methods,
• Often preferred for patient comfort,
• Highly advantageous in terms of cosmetics.