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Tattoo of vascular cannulation site as a self-cannulation aid
Regin Lagaac1, Rowena Meruz1, Mingzheng Aaron Goh2
1Department of Renal Services, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
Background:
Haemodialysis can be provided either in a healthcare setting or home environment. Patients receiving dialysis at home report a better quality of life. Patients or their carers must be able to cannulate their fistula confidently and independently when dialysing at home.
Method:
We describe a patient with a functional fistula which was difficult to palpate, leading to difficulties in cannulation and multiple referrals to the home therapies team.
Procedure:
A series of discrete dots were tattooed to delineate the borders of the fistula and served to guide cannulation.
Results:
Following this simple intervention, our patient was able to self-cannulate confidently, dialysing at home four times per week. There were no further referrals to the home therapies team.
Conclusion:
Permanent tattoo of the skin to guide cannulation can used when a fistula is difficult to palpate or if a further superficialisation procedure is not desired. Patients have to be made aware that the markings are permanent and might outlast the fistula.
