TRANSPOSED BASILIC VEIN VERSUS POLYTETRAFLUORETHYLENE FOR BRACHIAL AXILLARY ARTERIOVENOUS-FISTULAS

BACKGROUND: Both transposed basilic vein (BV) and polytetrafluorethyle ne (PTFE) upper arm arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are common angioacces s operations. To evaluate the patency and complication rates after AVF , a concurrent series of patients was reviewed. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients underwent brachial artery to axillary vein AVF: 30 BV and 68 PTFE. The PTFE grafts were performed in the standard fashion, whereas the basilic veins were translocated subcutaneously to the brachial art ery. RESULTS: Risk factors were similar between the two groups. Basili c vein AVF had better patency at 24 months (70% BV versus 46% PTFE, P = 0.023). The dialysis access complications were higher in the BV grou p (20%) versus PTFE (5%), but the PTFE group had a higher infection ra te (10%) than BV (0%). CONCLUSIONS: The primary and secondary patency rates were superior in the BV AVFs. The BV AVF preserves the venous ou tflow tract after AVF thrombosis for a future PTFE AVF operation. Am J Surg. 1998;176:219-221. (C) 1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.