A. Nayir et al., FOLLOW-UP RESULTS OF SYNTHETIC VASCULAR GRAFTS IN CHILDREN UNDERGOINGHEMODIALYSIS, Turkish Journal of Pediatrics, 37(3), 1995, pp. 223-228
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts were inserted in the thigh of 14
children (7 boys and 7 girls, age 12+/-1.8 years) who were undergoing
chronic hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease. Removal of grafts w
as necessary in three patients within three months of implantation. In
a fourth case it was indicated in the fifteenth month. In two cases t
hrombectomy was necessary. Echocardiography was performed in 10 patien
ts before and three and 12 months after surgery. Cardiac performance f
ollowed by echocardiography did not change after one year. After two y
ears the survival of grafts was 71%. It appears that synthetic grafts
offer advantages for pediatric hemodialysis petients with arteriovenou
s fistula failure. On the other hand, this technique entails serious r
isks.