title: Brachiobasilic fistula formation - single versus two stage procedure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Brachial basilic (BB) fistulae are a form of vascular access for patients requiring dialysis. They are indicated when the cephalic vein is unsuitable for use. This fistula can be created with either a single stage or a two stage procedure. We aimed to compare the two techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  73 BB fistulae (29 single and 44 two-stage) were created over a 5-year period (2003-2008). Data including sex, age, dialysis and diabetic status was collected from the case notes. Patency and time to maturity data was collected prospectively on an electronic database within the dialysis unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in functional patency rates between the two methods. A significant difference was identified between patients who had their fistula created prior to starting dialysis compared to those who had their fistula created after starting dialysis, in both initial patency rate (p = 0.017) and long term survival of the fistulae (p = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We identified no significant difference of patency between the two methods. This implies that a single stage procedure has benefits, by offering a quicker form of vascular access. Patients who had their fistulae created prior to dialysis had improved patency rates.
authors.affiliation: Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Raza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D014654:Vascular Patency; D055815:Young Adult