title: Basilic vein transposition in the forearm for secondary arteriovenous fistula.
abstract: Radiocephalic (RC) fistulae remain the first choice access for hemodialysis. The antecubital fossa is recommended as the next site. However, for some patients a basilic vein can be used to create an arteriovenous (av) fistula. We report a series of patients where the forearm basilic vein served as an alternative conduit for secondary procedures. Over an 8-year period, 30 patients who had a failed RC fistula underwent a basilic vein transposition. The immediate results were satisfactory. All fistulas were successfully cannulated. Cumulative patency was 93% after 1 year, 78% after 2 years, and 55% after 3 years. No ischemic or infectious complications were noted during the study period. The use of the forearm basilic vein to create a native av fistula appears to be a good alternative to procedures in the antecubital fossa or upper arm, thus preserving more proximal veins for future use.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Vascular Surgery and Transplantology, Medical University, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Glowinski
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Glowinska
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malyszko
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gacko
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012086:Reoperation; D013997:Time Factors; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014680:Veins / Q000601:surgery
keywords: arteriovenous fistula; basilic vein; hemodialysis; vascular access