The risk factors affecting the complications of saphenous vein graft harvesting in aortocoronary bypass surgery

Problems of wound healing are commonly observed after coronary bypass grafting (CABG) operations. Our aim is to determine the prevalence and the predictors of saphenous vein harvesting complications after coronary artery bypass surgery. One hundred twenty six patients operated in the specified period were included in this prospective study. In an early period 3 patients were excluded because of their mortality. Twenty patients were female and 103 were male. Forty three patients underwent an open procedure with one incision (35%), 61 patients also underwent an open procedure but with multiple incisions (49%), and 19 patients underwent a closed procedure with stripper (16%). Complications related with leg incisions after surgery were investigated. Multiple incision technique has the longest (49.28 +/- 14.7 cm; p < 0.001) total incision length (compare to single incision and stripper technique). As incision length increases, the incidence of drainage (p < 0.01), pain score (p < 0.05), hematoma (p < 0.05) and diffuse ecchymosis (p < 0.05) were increased. Drainage was seen more frequently in female (p < 0.001) and diabetic patients (p < 0.05). Sex (p < 0.001) and incision length (p < 0.05) have been found independent risk factors for drainage complication. Superficial infection (p < 0.05), pain (p < 0.05) and dehiscence (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in female patients. As the incision length of the multiple incision technique became longer, the risk of drainage, pain, hematoma and diffuse ecchymosis were increased. The significantly increased risk for wound complications were also seen in female gender, diabetic and obese patients.