Modified Allen's Test in radiocephalic arterio-venous fistula creation: how relevant?

The significance of the Modified Allen's Test has not been determined in Nigerians who need forearm arterio-venous fistulae. We sought to determine this in thirty-four patients who needed forearm arterio-venous fistulae for haemodialysis. Side-to-end radio-cephalic arterio-venous fistulae were successfully created on their forearms notwithstanding the result of Modified Allen's test. Modified Allen's test was negative in 12 (35.3% ) of the patients and side-to-end radio-cephalic fistulae were created on the forearm of all of them without any untoward effects. We concluded that preoperative Modified Allen's test is not necessary for side-to-end radio-cephalic arterio-venous fistulae of the forearm.