Which incision is used to harvest the saphenous vein for CABG?

• A. Median sternotomy
• B. Leg incision to harvest the saphenous vein
• C. Wrist incision to harvest the radial artery
• D. Neck incision

Answer: (B)

The saphenous vein graft is taken from the leg, so the incision is placed along the leg to harvest the vein. The saphenous vein runs superficially in the leg, and a leg incision (often along the medial side) allows the surgeon to expose, mobilize, and remove a segment for use in bypass grafting. Opening the chest with a median sternotomy is how the heart is accessed, not how the vein is harvested. Harvesting the radial artery from the wrist is a different conduit option, and a neck incision would not be used to obtain the saphenous vein.