title: Native forearm fistulas utilizing the basilic vein: an underused type of vascular access.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) are the solution of choice among diverse types of vascular access. The forearm basilic vein is rarely used for creating autogenous vascular access. Its use presents a valuable option when autogenous wrist radial-cephalic direct access cannot be created due to the destruction of forearm veins. Results obtained with autogenous wrist ulnar-basilic direct access and autogenous wrist radial-basilic transposition are presented below.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the decade 1993-2003, native fistulas utilizing the forearm basilic vein were performed in 27 patients (14 women, 13 men). The basilic vein was anastomosed to the ulnar artery or was transposed and anastomosed to the radial artery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AVF creation was successful in 22 patients (81.5%). The primary patency rate was 70.4% after 1 year, 61.6% after 2 years and 48.4% after 3 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AVFs utilizing the forearm basilic vein can be considered for primary or secondary vascular access because of the acceptable survival rate and low incidence of hand ischemia. Transposition of the basilic vein is a valuable option in the reconstruction of a thrombosed or stenosed radial-cephalic fistula.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Transplantation Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland. klinef@am.centrum.pl
authors.forename: Wacław
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weyde
authors.forename: Waldemar
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Letachowicz
authors.forename: Magdalena K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Krajewska
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Letachowicz
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Watorek
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kusztal
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Porazko
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gołebiowski
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Madziarska
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014654:Vascular Patency