ARTERIOVENOUS FISTULAS MADE IN OUR PEDIATRIC HAEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the functions of arteriovenous (A-V) fistulas carried out in pediatric haemodialysis patients by a single surgeon.

Methods: The registries of the pediatric subjects, in whom A-V fistulae were carried out and followed up by prospectively between 1994 and 2006 were evaluated. Age, weight, gender, functioning time and complications of A-V fistulae were searched.

Results: The study group included 41 patients, 18 were male and 23 were female, their mean age was 14.03±3.78, and mean weight was 30.44±13.63 at the time of access. A total of 54 A-V fistulae were performed on, while 6 of them had prostetic grafts. Seven of them (12.96%) never functioned and 47 (87.03%) have been functioning. Mean function time of the functioning A-V fistulae were 13.63±16.01 months. No significant relationship was found between the funtioning times of the A-V fistulae and weights of the patients (p= 0,053), but there was a significant relationship between the funtioning times of A-V fistulae and ages (p=0.007) of the subjects.

Conclusion: A-V fistulae carried out by a "specialised experienced surgical team" constitutes an effective therapeutic method for haemodialysis in the pediatric patients. Durable patency can be achieved by a careful follow-up when the difficulties of generating an A-V fistula are taken into consideration in pediatric population. (Turkish J Vasc Sur 2007;16(2):19-24)