Abstract
With the increasing incidence of end-stage renal disease, hemodialysis vascular access
presents an ongoing struggle, and a multidisciplinary approach must be considered
to provide long-term durable access for patients on chronic hemodialysis. Surgeons
must be very thoughtful in planning the steps of access for these patients and consider
fistula first and catheter last, without forgetting that prosthetic grafts may be
a legitimate first option for patients. This article provides a review of surgical
management of dialysis access, including primary access options and follow-up of this
difficult patient population.
Keywords
hemodialysis access - surgery - interventional radiology - arteriovenous fistula
