The formation of an arteriovenous fistual for dialysis by routine interrupted sutures anastomosing the vein and artery is difficult to perform and time-consuming. A new method, telescopic adhesive anastomosis was studied and applied in 10 hemodialysis patients, who were in need of an arteriovenous fistula. The external diameter of the vessels anastomosed was 2.40 +/- 0.20 mm (radial artery) or 2.40 +/- 0.35 mm (cephalic vein). After thorough debridement of the vascular ends, the arterial end was put in the venous lumen. In order to fix the telescopic vessels, two stitches were applied 180 degrees apart from each other and tied. Each stitch was inserted from vein (penetrating the whole wall) to artery (just through the adventitia and partial thickness of the media vasorum). The distance from the stitch to the edge of the vein was 0.5 mm, and that of the artery was approximated to the external diameter of the vessle. The medical adhesive was then applied for sealing the anastomotic adventitia. Ten seconds were given for the solidification of the adhesive. The patients were followed up for 8 months. The patency rate was 100%, and the rate of blood flow was more than 300 ml/min (measured by ultrasonography). It was shown that this method could be managed easily and quickly, and the so-formed fistula would fulfill the need of hemodialysis.
ObjectiveTo explore the role of chest wall arteriovenous graft (CWAVG) for establishing hemodialysis access in patients with end-stage renal disease.MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 12 patients with end-stage renal disease who underwent CWAVG for establishing hemodialysis access between January 2014 and June 2015. There were 3 males and 9 females with an average age of 63.6 years (range, 54-82 years). The renal disease causes were chronic glomerulonephritis in 2 cases, hypertensive renal damage in 4 cases, diabetic nephropathy in 1 case, both kidney resection because of urinary tract tumors in 3 cases, and causes unknown in 2 cases. Hemodialysis time ranged from 1 to 144 months, with an average of 38.4 months. The 12 patients all underwent 1-14 times (mean, 4.2 times) anterior pathway failure in CWAVG, all of which were caused by repeated occlusion of dialysis pathway or poor vascular condition of upper extremity, resulting in the exhaustion of vascular pathway in upper extremity.ResultsAll patients were followed up 30-48 months (mean, 35.4 months). Two patients died, including 1 case of digestive tract hemorrhage, 1 case of heart failure. The other 10 CWAVGs were functionally useful for hemodialysis access about 6 weeks after operations. The primary patency rates at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months were 83.3%, 75.0%, 33.3%, 33.3%, and 16.7%, respectively, and the cumulative patency rates at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 months were 83.3%, 75.0%, 50.0%, 33.3%, and 16.7%, respectively. Among 8 cases of CWAVG dysfunction, 6 cases had thrombosis, 1 case had seroma, and 1 case had vertebral artery stealing. Among them, 4 patients underwent hemodialysis using tunneled-cuffed catheter, 3 patients using fistula or graft on other limbs, and 1 patient was not treated with hemodialysis.ConclusionAlthough the long-term patency rate of CWAVG is yet to be further increased by improvement of treatment strategies, but it is still a supplementary option for end-stage renal disease patients with inadequate upper extremity venous access sites.
ObjectiveTo explore the role of arteriovenous axillary loop graft (AVALG) on chest for establishing hemodialysis access in patients with chronic renal failure. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 12 patients with chronic renal failure who underwent an AVALG on chest for hemodialysis access between December 2010 and May 2014. There were 2 males and 10 females with an average age of 65.25 years (range, 46-75 years). The main causes were chronic glomerulonephritis in 6 cases, diabetic nephropathy in 4 cases, and both kidney resection because of urinary tract tumors in 2 cases. The disease duration was 2-12 years (mean, 6 years). The 12 patients all underwent 5-14 times (mean, 7 times) failed prior vascular accesses [arteriovenous fistula (AVF）and arteriovenous graft (AVG)] leading to exhaustion of venous access sites on the upper extremities. ResultsThe AVALG on chest were functionally useful for hemodialysis access, 2-3 times per week, and the blood flow was 250-350 mL/minute; the average time for the first dialysis was 48 days (range, 42-93 days). All patients were followed up 12-54 months (mean, 20.92 months). There was no death during perioperative period. The primary patency rates at 6 and 12 months were 91.7% and 83.3% respectively, and the secondary patency rates at 6 and 12 months were both 100%. After operation, infection (1 case), thrombosis (2 cases), bleeding (2 cases), and swollen (1 case) occurred, which were all cured after corresponding treatment. ConclusionAVALG on chest is a supplementary option for chronic renal failure patients with inadequate upper extremity venous access sites after repeat occlusion.
ObjectiveTo explore the value of ultrasound evaluation and marking before arteriovenous internal fistula in end-stage renal disease hemodialysis patients. MethodsTwenty-five uremia end-stage patients were admitted into our nephrology department from January 2012 to July 2012. All of the patients had encountered several times of fistula failure or had difficulty in establishing the forearm arteriovenous fistula. We focused on observing the brachial artery, radial artery, cephalic vein, the basilica vein and great saphenous vein. We measured the diameter of the vessels and marked the trend of arteries and veins in the body surface under the ultrasonic navigation. Our goal was to look for appropriate bypass vessels in the elbow and the upper arm. ResultsFourteen patients had endured several times of fistula failure. Among the 14 patients, 9 patients completed the surgery of reengineering fistula and autogenous great saphenous vein transplantation, 2 accepted artificial vascular transplantation, 1 completed the removal of blood clots in the left upper limb artificial blood vessels and arteriovenous internal fistula molding, and 2 gave up surgery. Eleven patients could not complete the arteriovenous fistula operation for the fine forearm superficial vein. Of them, 2 patients accepted artificial vascular operation, 6 underwent autogenous great saphenous vein transplantation, 1 with slender radial artery in diameter completed higher position fistula between the brachial artery and median cubital vein, and 2 gave up surgery. ConclusionArteriovenous internal fistula preoperative ultrasound assessment and marking have very important value in improving the success rate of operation in end-stage uremia patients.