BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive procedures for coronary revascularization have been performed for over 20 years; however, their technical complexity, steep learning curves and absence of training programs explain the weak acceptance of these techniques. Use of bilateral mammary arteries is thought to be the best conduits that we can offer to our patients during coronary surgery. Here is a step-by-step protocol of how our team achieves an endoscopic bilateral internal mammary artery (BIMA) harvesting for minimally invasive CABGs through a left thoracoscopic approach.METHODS: This video presentation describes in details how to do an endoscopic double mammary harvesting through left thoracoscopy.
RESULTS: Not applicable
CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic double mammary harvesting is a feasible and safe. Our first choice is to harvest both mammary arteries from the left. However, for some patients with a sternum even slightly excavatum the right mammary artery can only be harvested from a right thoracoscopic approach.
