FOLLOW-UP RESULTS OF SYNTHETIC VASCULAR GRAFTS IN CHILDREN UNDERGOINGHEMODIALYSIS

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.