Minimal access surgical approach reaches patient milestone
Back in 2023, the Cardiac Surgery team at LHCH introduced a minimal access surgical approach called Endoscopic Vein Harvesting (EVH).
The Surgical Care Practitioner team, who carry out this procedure, are exceptionally proud to have completed their 1000th EVH procedure for cardiac patients since the launch of this service.
Vein harvesting forms part of the Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting procedure which is the most common procedure undertaken at LHCH and worldwide. This requires the harvesting of a vein from the leg and attaching it to the coronary artery. This is currently performed as an open procedure which requires one long incision or multiple incisions in one or both legs, with frequent associated wound complications.
The EVH approach allows the incision to be reduced to 2cm which lessens pain, blood loss, rate of infection and antibiotic use.
Mr Bil Kirmani, Consultant Cardiac Surgeon spoke of the success of this approach:
“We are all exceptionally proud of our Surgical Care Practitioners for their commitment to deliver this advanced, modern technique. In just over two years, they have become some of the most experienced EVH operators in the country.
“Our volumes and results have been excellent, and this has allowed faster recovery for patients with reduced infection, pain, blood loss and quicker return to normal mobility.
"The exponential jump in our ability to provide keyhole procedures to so many of our patients has also boosted our minimally invasive coronary artery bypass programme and helped to establish a growing trend towards smaller incisions for enhanced recovery.”
Celia Ireland, Lead Surgical Care Practitioner said:
“We launched this minimal access approach with our patients in mind, keeping them at the centre of all we do, and we have been thrilled with the results.
“Following surgery, we’ve seen far fewer concerns or delays to discharge caused by leg wound problems. The risk of harvest site infection has reduced from 8% to less than 2% which is a significant achievement.
“We have five Surgical Care Practitioners trained to undertake this approach so far with plans for this to grow in the future so that more of our patients can benefit from this.
“I would like to thank the Surgical Care Practitioner team for their determination to learn a new skill, their enthusiasm for the cause and to the wider team who gave each of us the time and support we have needed to master this approach.”