Abdominal collateral veins as an unconventional access site for hemodialysis after primary access failure

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Vascular access dysfunction and pathway depletion are significant complications in dialysis patients, contributing to morbidity and mortality.
• Traditional vascular access methods like fistulas and catheters can fail or become depleted.
• Literature suggests exploring alternative access routes, including small collateral or recanalized veins.

Observation:

• This case report details the successful use of a collateral vein in the abdominal region for hemodialysis access.
• The patient had undergone multiple previous attempts with conventional access methods.

Findings:

• A collateral network in the left abdominal wall was identified and utilized as a viable vascular access site.
• This unconventional approach proved successful for hemodialysis.

Implications:

• Utilizing unconventional venous pathways, such as abdominal collateral networks, can offer a life-saving alternative for dialysis patients with limited access options.
• This case underscores the importance of considering diverse anatomical sites for vascular access in complex dialysis cases.