Skeletonization does not influence internal thoracic artery innervation

Background This study was designed to compare the effect of surgical harvesting on internal thoracic artery innervation and to assess the eventual presence of denervation supersensitivity in skeletonized grafts. Methods Nineteen patients who underwent primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned to receive a skeletonized (n = 9) or pedicled (n = 10) internal thoracic artery graft. Immunohistochemical nerve localization using anti–S-100 protein, anti–160-kd neurofilament polypeptide and anti–tyrosine hydroxylase antibodies was performed on distal specimens of arteries to study vascular innervation. Moreover, endovascular vasoactive challenges using serotonin and methylergometrine were performed at early angiographic control to evaluate the eventual presence of denervation supersensitivity. Results Quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical specimens revealed lack of difference in the number of positive cells between skeletonized and pedicled arteries for all the antibodies used. No difference in the reaction to serotonin and methylergometrine was found between skeletonized and pedicled arteries. Conclusions Skeletonization does not influence internal thoracic artery innervation.