[Arteriovenous fistula for chronic hemodialysis in children]

The authors give an account of their experience with an artificial arteriovenous fistula of the needs of chronic haemodialysis. During a five-year period they established an A-V fistula with prolonged satisfactory function in seven children aged 5-14 years. In none of the patients the fistula, made as suggested by Cimin and Bresciu on the wrist of the non-dominant extremity, failed. Development and arterialization of the venous drainage system on the fore arm occurred 6-8 weeks after establishment of the fistula. Despite miniature dimensions of the artery and vein a functioning radiocephalic fistula in children with chronic renal insufficiency is a suitable method to overcome the period before transplantation of the kidney.