Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2011; 59(7): 416-420
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1271118
Original Cardiovascular

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Histological Evaluation of Skeletonized Internal Thoracic Artery Using ForceTriad™[*]

N. Ito1 , T. Tashiro1 , N. Sakata2 , N. Morishige1 , M. Nishimi1 , K. Takeuchi1 , Y. Hayashida1 , N. Minematsu1 , G. Kuwahara1 , Y. Sukehiro1 , H. Teratani1 , H. Fukagawa2
  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
  • 2Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

received August 23, 2010 resubmitted Sept. 27, 2010

accepted Sept. 28, 2010

Publication Date:
20 June 2011 (online)

Abstract

Background: The internal thoracic artery (ITA) is a useful graft for coronary artery bypass grafting. Skeletonization, a technique that uses an ultrasonic scalpel, is increasingly used. However, the cost of an ultrasonic scalpel is extremely high. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a new electrosurgical cautery device (ForceTriad™) is as effective as an ultrasonic scalpel. Methods: Bilateral ITAs were harvested from eight pigs using the skeletonizing technique. The ITA on one side was harvested with an ultrasonic scalpel and on the other side using the ForceTriad™. Macroscopic and histological examinations were performed in sixteen ITAs. Results: No significant differences in the time required for harvesting were observed. The macroscopic findings revealed no significant change in any of the samples. The histological findings showed that the degree of thermal injury was similar. The normal structure was maintained in all samples. The ForceTriad™ costs US$ 226.82 less per patient than the ultrasonic scalpel. Conclusion: The new electrosurgical cautery device ForceTriad™ was less expensive, but it was equally effective. It appears that skeletonization performed with the new device is equivalent to that performed with an ultrasonic scalpel.

1 Presented at the 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery, October 11–14, 2009, Yokohama, Japan

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1 Presented at the 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery, October 11–14, 2009, Yokohama, Japan

Dr. Nobuhisa Ito

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery
Fukuoka University School of Medicine

7-45-1 Nanakuma, Jonanku

814-0180 Fukuoka

Japan

Phone: +81 9 28 01 10 11

Fax: +81 9 28 73 24 11

Email: noby.ito@nifty.ne.jp