Semiskeletonization of internal thoracic artery: Alternative harvest technique

A simple technique of harvesting the internal thoracic artery is described. Harvesting the internal thoracic artery as a thin pedicle without the endothoracic fascia is advantageous in terms of obtaining its maximum length, dissecting a narrow space, avoiding pleural opening, and facilitating handling of the internal thoracic artery during the coronary anastomoses. This alternative technique requires almost the same skill and time as the conventional wide pedicle technique. (C) 1997 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.