Objective To compare the short-term effect of no-touch technique and routine method for harvesting great saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods The clinical data of patients receiving the great saphenous vein by no-touch technique (a NT group) or routine method (a routine group) for coronary artery bypass grafting from April 2016 to July 2017 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 26 males and 13 females with an average age of 60.1±8.0 years ranging from 40 to 75 years in the routine group, as well as 21 males and 17 females with an average age of 61.3±6.9 years ranging from 38 to 75 years in the NT group. The operation time, postoperative ventilation duration, postoperative myocardial injury index, postoperative complications, postoperative ejection fraction, postoperative hospital stays and other indicators were compared. Results There was no statistical difference between the two groups in operation time, postoperative ventilation time, postoperative ejection fraction or postoperative hospital stays. Incisions of postoperative lower extremity in two groups successfully healed. There was no recurrence of acute myocardial infarction or death. All patients recovered and discharged. One patient was treated with thoracotomy in the routine group. One patient in the NT group had bad healing of chest incision, and one patient with acute kidney injury recovered after treatment. Conclusion The great saphenous vein by no touch technique has a good early effect in coronary artery bypass grafting without increasing the risk of surgery.