Saphenous Vein Graft Donor Site Dermatitis

Abstract

Coronary artery bypass grafting for atherosclerotic heart disease is commonly performed throughout the world. Complications of coronary artery bypass grafting include saphenous neuralgia due to injury to the saphenous nerve during harvest of the saphenous vein. Dermatologic complications of coronary revascularization are infrequently reported and include an eruption overlying the vein donor-site scar. We describe two cases of saphenous vein donor site dermatitis associated with sensory peripheral neuropathy in the distribution of the dermatitis. Histopathologic studies revealed a subacute spongiotic dermatitis. The course of the eruption was characterized by exacerbations and remissions with gradual resolution of both the dermatitis and neuropathy over a 1- to 2-year period. Our cases are unique because the dermatitis developed in the area of the neurologic changes. We propose that the dermatitis may be a trophic change secondary to saphenous neuralgia.