Pictured: The team supporting endoscopic vein harvesting at Braemar. From left cardiothoracic surgeons David McCormack, Nishith Patel, and Registered Nurse First Surgical Assistant Kelsey Abercrombie and Braemar Associate Theatre Manager Daphne Van Dam.
New Zealand’s First Private Hospital to Offer Endoscopic Vein Harvesting
Braemar Hospital has made history as New Zealand’s first private hospital to integrate endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) technology, transforming the way heart bypass surgery is performed and dramatically improving patient outcomes.
A Team Approach to Better Heart Surgery
When patients need coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, surgeons typically use veins from the patient’s leg to create new pathways around blocked heart arteries. Traditionally, this meant a long, painful incision running from ankle to groin on the inner leg – sometimes up to 80 centimetres long.
“The traditional method of harvesting a vein from the inner leg can sometimes be more painful than the actual heart surgery itself,” explains Pru Sheahan, Clinical Manager at Braemar Hospital. “Patients are often left with huge scars and significant discomfort during recovery.”
Now, thanks to a pioneering partnership between Braemar Hospital and its cardiothoracic surgeons, patients have access to a revolutionary alternative procedure that uses just three small incisions at the ankle, knee, and groin area – each only between a half and two centimetres long.
How Endoscopic Vein Harvesting Works
The EVH technique uses a specialised endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera) inserted through a tiny incision near the knee. This allows surgeons to visualise and carefully harvest the required vein with minimal tissue damage.
“It’s a complete game-changer for our patients,” says cardiothoracic surgeon David McCormack, a Braemar specialist from the Heart Surgeon Group. “When patients need bypass grafts, they’re most often taken from veins in the leg, but this area can often be the most troublesome to heal from. EVH changes all of that.”
The Power of Teamwork
What makes Braemar’s approach particularly innovative is the collaborative team effort. While the cardiothoracic surgeon works on the heart, a Registered Nurse First Surgical Assistant (RNFSA) simultaneously harvests the vein using the endoscopic technique.
“It’s a true team win approach,” McCormack explains. “The RNFSA harvests the vein in parallel with the heart surgery. This efficiency benefits the patient enormously – it allows for enhanced recovery, often less time under anesthesia, and faster overall recovery.”
All Braemar Hospital cardiac surgeons have access to this advanced technology at Braemar Hospital.
Life-Changing Benefits for Patients
The advantages of EVH are remarkable:
Dramatically reduced scarring: Instead of one large scar, patients have only three small marks.
Less pain: Significantly reduced post-operative discomfort.
Faster mobility: Patients can move around sooner after surgery.
Lower infection risk: Smaller incisions mean reduced chance of wound complications.
Quicker recovery: Patients typically return to normal activities faster.
Higher satisfaction: Studies show patients are much happier with their surgical experience.
“The benefits are wide-ranging for the patient – from less intensive aftercare to less pain and scarring,” says Pru. “Patients can be mobilised more quickly after surgery with less pain and reduced likelihood of infections.”
Proven Technology, New to New Zealand’s Private Sector
While EVH has been successfully used internationally and in some New Zealand public hospitals like Waikato and Auckland City Hospital, Braemar Hospital is breaking new ground as the country’s first private facility to offer this service.
“This technology will help lift New Zealand’s surgical expertise in this area, where many parts of the world are readily using this technique and preferring it ahead of open vein harvesting,” McCormack notes.
Since the start of this year, six patients have already experienced the benefits of endoscopic vein harvesting at Braemar Hospital, with excellent results.
Who Can Benefit?
EVH is suitable for approximately 95% of patients requiring vein grafts for heart surgery. The technique works best for stable patients, though it may not be suitable for patients with veins very close to their skin surface.
“All patients requiring vein harvesting for bypass surgery should discuss this option with their surgeon,” advises McCormack. “The quality of the harvested vein is just as good as traditional methods, but the patient experience is vastly improved.”
A Commitment to Excellence
Braemar Hospital’s investment in EVH technology and staff training demonstrates their commitment to offering the most advanced cardiac care available. This advancement was supported by the Heart Surgeon Group, which enabled scholarships for team members to travel to the United States for training and mentoring in the technique, ensuring it could be delivered safely here in New Zealand.
The hospital has equipped its theatres with specialised instruments and ensured all relevant staff are trained in the technique.
“This is great news for our region,” says McCormack. “As the only private hospital in New Zealand to offer this service, patients from all over the country who are seeking this less invasive option in the private sector.”
Looking Forward
The introduction of EVH at Braemar Hospital represents more than just a new surgical technique – it’s a vision of patient-centred care that prioritises comfort, recovery, and outcomes. By combining cutting-edge technology with expert surgical skills and comprehensive team support, Braemar Hospital is setting a new standard for cardiac surgery in New Zealand’s private healthcare sector.
For patients facing the prospect of heart bypass surgery, this advancement offers hope for a less traumatic, more comfortable surgical experience with better outcomes – proving that sometimes, smaller really is better.
For more information about endoscopic vein harvesting and cardiac services at Braemar Hospital, speak with our cardiothoracic specialists Francesco Pirone, Nisith Patel, David McCormack or contact Braemar Hospital directly.
Braemar Hospital is 100% owned by the Braemar Charitable Trust which works to improve healthcare access in the community