[Removal and preparation of the saphenous vein in aortocoronary bypass operations: proposed technic].

Mechanical trauma to saphenous vein harvested and prepared for coronary artery bypass grafting may results in early and late graft occlusion due to subendothelial proliferation and to accelerated atherosclerosis. The distention of the vein a high pressure to overcome spasm and to identify leaks causes most of these pathological changes. On the basis of these considerations we developed a careful technique of vein removal and a convenient system to irrigate veins at controlled and limited pressures.