Smaller wounds, easier recovery after heart bypass surgery

Endoscopic vein harvesting uses a small incision and a camera-guided instrument to remove a vein for bypass surgery, helping minimise scarring and support faster recovery. (Envato Elements pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: When someone undergoes coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, attention naturally centres on the heart. Yet the operation can also leave patients with a sizeable wound on the leg, where a vein is often taken to create the bypass.

Traditionally, removing that vein involves a long incision along the leg. Endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) offers a less invasive alternative, using a small opening and a camera to guide the removal.

Consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Zamrin Dimon said the technique can result in smaller scars, less pain, faster wound healing and a lower risk of complications, particularly for patients who may already have difficulty healing, such as those with diabetes.