An unusual case of huge fibrotic sac of hematoma at saphenous vein harvest site for CABG

Abstract

Abstract Great saphenous vein is a conduit commonly used for coronary artery bypass grafting. However, several complications could occur at leg wound site for vein harvesting. Here, we describe a huge sac of hematoma as an uncommon complication of saphenous vein harvest for coronary artery bypass grafting. A 62-year-old gentleman was readmitted with swelling at left thigh 30 days after coronary artery bypass grafting. Lower extremity computed tomography was suggestive of an oval and thick sac implying a hematoma or seroma. After using ultrasound scanning for the mass, an incision through the previous surgical wound showed a huge mass looking like a ‘sweet potato’. Inspection after incision the mass revealed an old hematoma within the sac. Pathologic findings demonstrated chronic inflammation with the hematoma surrounded by a fibrotic sac. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful without recurrence. Our experience suggests the possibility of a huge hematoma within a thick fibrotic sac at the previous vein harvest site for coronary artery bypass grafting. We hope that this case will contribute to the management of leg wound complications in similar cases.