Retrogastric versus antegastric routing and histology of the right gastroepiploic artery.

To maximize use of the right gastroepiploic artery in myocardial revascularization 11 cadavers were studied to determine the shortest route (retrogastric versus antegastric) of the right gastroepiploic artery from its origin to the recipient coronary artery. Any coronary artery could be reached with an in situ right gastroepiploic artery. There was no significant difference between the retrogastric and antegastric routes for any coronary artery, although the former generally is slightly shorter to the vessels on the posterior surface of the heart and the latter to vessels on the anterior surface of the heart. Histological examination of the right gastroepiploic artery in its proximal, mid, and distal segments showed a similar width of intima and media and invariably an almost purely muscular media. Based on the histological similarity of the right gastroepiploic artery to the coronary artery, some scepticism toward liberal use of the right gastroepiploic artery, especially if used as a free graft, is warranted until clinical studies on its long-term patency have been performed.