Two-stage forearm brachio-basilic loop arteriovenous graft for hemodialysis

Abstract

Introduction. The autologous radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the best vascular access for patients on chronic hemodialysis. In some patients with inadequate blood vessels, it is necessary to create proximal AVF, or arteriovenous grafts. High percentage of primary graft failure is noted in cases where diameters of the brachial artery and the basilic vein are insufficient. The aim of this work was to introduce a new surgical technique for arteriovenous creation in patients with inadequate blood diameter. Case outline. The authors have proposed implantation of brachio-basilic polytetrafluoroethylene AV forearm loop graft in two acts. In the first act, the native brachio-basilic AVF was created in the distal region of the arm by side-to-end anastomosis. Three to four weeks after the first act, significant dilatation of brachial artery and basilic vein was noted (confirmed by the use of color duplex sonography technique). During the second act, polytetrafluourethylene graft was implanted by end-to-end anastomosis on the dilated basilica vein. Conclusion. AV graft that was created in two acts has sufficient blood flow without early or late complications. Primary patency was 30 months and secondary patency was 50 months. As an original method in the current literature, we recommend it in different clinical settings when there are no better alternatives for vascular access.

Keywords

• arterio-venous fistula
• arterio-venous graft
• hemodialysis
• vascular access