Arteriovenous fistula for patients on long term haemodialysis in jos, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
The introduction of haemodialysis has prolonged the lives of patients with end-stage-renal disease (ESRD). To maintain them on long-term dialysis, vascular access procedures are required.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the experience with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) from a developing country.


METHODS
Eighty-two AVF were created in 74 patients on maintenance haemodialysis. They all had side-to-end AVF using prolene 7/0 monofilament suture for anastomoses.


RESULTS
There were 55 males and 19 females with a male: female ratio of 2.9:1. The ages ranged from 18 to 70 years with a mean of 43.4 "12.1 years. Most of the AVF created were on the left upper limbs with the radio-cephalic and brachio-cephalic accounting for more than 70% . Eight patients developed thrombosis of the veins used for the AVF and one developed a pseudo aneurysm.


CONCLUSIONS
Arteriovenous fistula makes long-term haemodialysis feasible. It can be created easily and has a low rate of complications.
Yiltok
S J
SJ
Department of Surgery, Jos University Teaching Hospital, P. M. B. 2076, Jos, Nigeria. simyiltok@yahoo.com
Orkar
K S
KS
Agaba
E I
EI
Agbaji
O O
OO
Legbo
J N
JN
Anteyi
E A
EA
Jenrola
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D006435:Renal Dialysis