Subcutaneous harvesting using an extraluminal vein dissector was used to obtain saphenous and cephalic veins for aortocoronary vein bypass grafting (CVBG) in 428 unselected consecutive patients without complications. The operative technique is simple, quick and easy to learn. Advantages of the method include expeditious harvesting, limited tissue dissection and vein handling, with minimal overt and occult blood loss. Symptomatic benefits include a considerable reduction of leg wound infection (3% superficial inflammation), comfort and improved early mobility. Reduction in late morbidity due to saphenous nerve damage (1.6%), prolonged oedema (0.7%), and delayed sinus formation were also noticeable features. Light and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) studies of 57 vein samples showed no excessive trauma to the vein wall but more specifically no evidence of distraction injury to the tributaries when compared with the more traditional dissection technique.