Complications of arteriovenous fistula with polytetraflouroethylen grafts in hemodialysis patients

Purpose: Vessels with high venous flow rate are needed for the application of hemodialysis in patients needing chronic hemodialysis. The increase in the number of chronic hemodialysis patients has led to an increase in the number of vascular surgical operations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of polytetraflouroethylen (PTFE) graft arteriovenous fistula (AVF) applications. Materials and Methods: Files of 596 patients who received hemodialysis treatment at the Nephrology Unit of the Sanliurfa Mehmet Akif Inan State Hospital between September 2009 and 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. PTFE grafts and autogenous AVFs applied in 22 patients were analyzed, and demographic data and PTFE graft associated complications of these patients were evaluated. Results: We found that the graft patency duration (months +/- standard deviation) and the patency after graft revision were 16 +/- 13 and 83.3%. Complications were detected in 14 patients (63%). One patient developed hematoma in early stages. Conclusions: We conclude that even if PFTE graft AVF applications cause significant complications, the procedure has a high patency rate after graft revision.