Ulno-basilic arteriovenous fistulae: indications and surgical technique

Ulnar-basilic fistula is a vascular access option for hemodialysis first reported in 1967. There is no inherent reason why the ulnar artery cannot be used to create a fistula at the wrist; however, a few reports dealing with its complications and survival rates have been published in the literature. In the present work the results of 9 ulnar-basilic fistulae done in 9 adults patients on chronic hemodialysis, are reported. Two fistulae were created as primary access and the remaining 7 fistulae as secondary access after thrombosis of an ipsilateral and controlateral radiocephalic fistula in 6 cases and in a case of high-flux brachiocephalic fistula. No episodes of surgical complications were observed. This fistula is an additional option to create a distal vascular access for hemodialysis before constructing a proximal access.