A method for performing a coronary artery bypass graft procedure on a patient to connect a bypass vessel to a target vessel includes the steps of creating an opening in the patient that communicates with the thoracic cavity of the patient； providing a bypass vessel having a lumen and at least one free end； passing the free end of the bypass vessel from the thoracic cavity through the opening to a position outside the body of the patient； attaching a connector to the free end of bypass vessel while the free end of the bypass vessel is outside the body of the patient； passing the free end of the bypass vessel from the position outside the body of the patient through the opening and into the thoracic cavity； and connecting the free end of the bypass vessel to a target vessel with the connector.
