The LIMA harvesting procedure via VATS and coronary bypass surgery (LIMA-LAD) through minithoracotomy is a safe and easy method for CABG, which does not bring any more risk than median sternotomy to the patients.

In our clinic, 50 patients were operated on coronary bypass whit MIDCAB-technique between February 1996 and December-1996. We used VATS technique for LIMA harvesting at these patients. The VATS and BH groups, which include 30 operated on the beating heart patients, have been evaluted and we have compared the both groups.

The mortality rate was zero in both groups. The VATS group has had advantage for the early extubation, mobilization and leaving the ICU. But the LIMA harvesting and mean operation time was longer in the VATS group.

LIMA harvesting via VATS and CABG with MIDCAB procedure is more advantageous than the median sternotomy technique on the beating heart, because it is more noninvasive and cheaper. We believe that we would not see any complication during the reoperaticıns in future, like LIMA or heart injuring or mediastinal bleeding. As seeing after this study, this new technique (MIDCAB) is a serious alternative which will take the place of the CABG on the beating heart through median sternotomy technique and it will be more perfect after the improvements of this technique.

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