HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mountney, J. Articles by Wilkinson, G.A.L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mountney, J. Articles by Wilkinson, G.A.L.

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 1999;16:440-443
© 1999 Elsevier Science NL

Saphenous neuralgia after coronary artery bypass grafting

Northern General Hospital NHS Trust, Herries Road, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK

Corresponding author. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. Tel.: +44-1703-777-222
e-mail: jm84{at}jmountney.freeserve.co.uk

Objective: To determine the incidence, extent and site of saphenous neuralgia (anaesthesia, hyperaesthesia and pain) in the lower limb after harvesting of great saphenous vein (GSV) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients (39 lower limbs) aged 58±16 years undergoing CABG were prospectively reviewed. All patients were assessed pre-operatively to establish the presence of normal sensation, then at 3 days, 6 weeks and 20±4 months post-operatively for symptoms or signs of saphenous neuralgia. The data were recorded on serial diagrammatic representations, and the area of sensory loss for each site was recorded at each review. The decrease in areas of sensory loss over time was investigated with statistical analysis. Results: Thirty-five (90%) of the lower limbs examined showed some degree of anaesthesia at 3 days with 23 (72%) still symptomatic at a mean follow up of 20 months. Hyperaesthesia and pain were infrequently noted. Anaesthesia was generally confined to three main areas, which were denoted sites A, B and C for descriptive purposes. The mean area of sensory loss in the lower limb at 3 days post-surgery was 53.4 cm², for an incision of mean length 42±22 cm from the medial malleolus. This area reduced to 31.7 cm² by 20 months, and the decrease in area over time for each site was found to be statistically significant using analysis of variance for repeated measures and the Freidman–Rubin test. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that saphenous neuralgia after harvest of GSV for CABG is common. The main symptom is anaesthesia and certain areas may persist for some considerable time post-operatively.

Key Words: Saphenous neuralgia • Great saphenous vein • Coronary artery bypass grafting

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V. Dayan, L. Cura, S. Cubas, and G. Carriquiry Surgical Anatomy of the Saphenous Nerve Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2008; 85(3): 896 - 900. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M.-C. Taillefer, M. Carrier, S. Belisle, S. Levesque, H. Lanctot, A.-M. Boisvert, and M. Choiniere Prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of chronic nonanginal postoperative pain after a cardiac operation: A cross-sectional study J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., June 1, 2006; 131(6): 1274 - 1280. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. P. Grocott, J. A. Clark, H. M. Homi, and A. Sharma "Other" Neurologic Complications After Cardiac Surgery Seminars in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, September 1, 2004; 8(3): 213 - 226. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Bonde, A. N. J. Graham, and S. W. MacGowan Endoscopic vein harvest: advantages and limitations Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2004; 77(6): 2076 - 2082. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Garland, F.A. Frizelle, B.R. Dobbs, and H. Singh A retrospective audit of long-term lower limb complications following leg vein harvesting for coronary artery bypass grafting Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., June 1, 2003; 23(6): 950 - 955. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. S.R. Souza, M. R. Dashwood, J. C.S. Tsui, D. Filbey, L. Bodin, B. Johansson, and J. Borowiec Improved patency in vein grafts harvested with surrounding tissue: results of a randomized study using three harvesting techniques Ann. Thorac. Surg., April 1, 2002; 73(4): 1189 - 1195. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. S.R. Souza, V. Bomfim, H. Skoglund, M. R. Dashwood, J. W. Borowiec, L. Bodin, and D. Filbey High early patency of saphenous vein graft for coronary artery bypass harvested with surrounding tissue Ann. Thorac. Surg., March 1, 2001; 71(3): 797 - 800. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. D. Sharma, C. L. Parmley, G. Sreeram, and H. P. Grocott Peripheral Nerve Injuries During Cardiac Surgery: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Prevention Anesth. Analg., December 1, 2000; 91(6): 1358 - 1369. [Full Text] [PDF]