An evaluation of distal radiocephalic side-to-side anastomosis performed for hemodialysis in patients with end-stage chronic renal failure

Aim: In our study we evaluate the early and late term patency ratio, time to maturation and fistula associated complication rates in cases with an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) created via a distal radiocephalic side-to-side anastomosis without ligation of distal cephalic vein in patients with end - stage renal failure (ESRF) and suggest that the fistulae complications can be diagnosed and treated with simpler and minimally invasive methods. Methods: The demographic data, outpatient clinic follow-up records on day 1, week 1, month 1 and year 1, fistula -related complications and treatments given for complications of patients were evaluated. Results: Of the 50 operated patients, five (10%) developed fistula thrombosis on postoperative day 1 and underwent thrombectomy with a Fogarty catheter inserted via the distal cephalic vein; the fistula remained active after thrombectomy in two patients. Of the 47 patients followed at Month 1, 37 had a functional fistula and two had a functional fistula following thrombectomy. The early-term primary and secondary patency ratio was 78.7% and 82.9%, respectively. Of the 45 patients who attended the 1-year follow-up, 33(76.7%) had a non-intervened fistula, and with the addition of the two patients who underwent early -term thrombectomy, 35(81.3%) patients in total had fully functional fistulae. The one -year primary and secondary patency ratio was 76.7% and 81.3%, respectively. None of the patients developed such complications as venous hypertension or distal ischemia. Conclusions: Arteriovenous fistula created via distal radiocephalic side-to-side anastomosis without ligation of distal cephalic vein can be successfully used as a vascular access in patients with ESRF.