Table 3 Cardiac surgeons’ routines regarding saphenous vein harvesting
Variable | Cardiothoracic surgeon (N = 56) |
|---|---|
Own frequency of SVH, n (%) | |
> 20 times/year | 32 (57.1) |
11–20 times/year | 12 (21.4) |
6–10 times/year | 5 (8.9) |
1–5 times/year | 5 (8.9) |
Never | 2 (3.6) |
Vein harvester, n (%) | |
Attending in cardiothoracic surgery | 17 (30.4) |
Resident in cardiothoracic surgery | 16 (28.6) |
Operating theatre nurse | 5 (8.9) |
Intern | 14 (25.0) |
Operations assistant | 1 (1.8) |
Vein harvester | 2 (3.6) |
Common clinical technique for SVH, n (%) | |
Yes | 12 (21.4) |
Partly | 35 (62.5) |
No | 7 (12.5) |
Type of vein graft, n (%)a | |
Conventional | 44 (78.6) |
“No-touch” | 17 (30.4) |
Endoscopic | 0 (0) |
Ligation of side branches, n (%) a | |
Clips | 34 (60.7) |
Absorbable ligature | 18 (32.1) |
Non-absorbable ligature | 27 (48.2) |
Other | 1 (1.8) |
Diathermy/coagulation, n (%) | |
Monopolar diathermy | 40 (71.4) |
Bipolar diathermy | 10 (17.9) |
Ultrasound “harmonic scalpel” | 1 (1.8) |
Never use diathermy | 3 (5.4) |
Suturing the leg/legs, n (%) | |
Attending in cardiothoracic surgery | 13 (23.2) |
Resident in cardiothoracic surgery | 11 (19.6) |
Operating room nurse | 4 (7.1) |
Intern | 23 (41.1) |
Operations assistant | 1 (1.8) |
Vein harvester | 2 (3.6) |
Skin suture, n (%) | |
Intracutaneous suture | 54 (96.4) |
Skin staples | 0 (0) |
Suture layers in subcutis, n (%) | |
One layer | 23 (41.1) |
Two layer | 9 (16.1) |
No subcutaneous layer | 22 (39.3) |
Subcutaneous suture, n (%) | |
Braided | 23 (41.1) |
Monofilament | 24 (42.9) |
No subcutaneous suture | 9 (16.1) |
Intracutaneous suture, n (%) | |
Braided | 4 (7.1) |
Monofilament | 50 (89.3) |
Suture with triclosan (Vicryl+), n (%) | |
Always | 23 (41.1) |
Sometimes | 9 (16.1) |
Never | 22 (39.3) |