Basilic vein tunnel transposition versus elevation transposition for brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistula creation: A systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to compare basilic vein tunnel transposition (BVTT) to basilic vein elevation transposition (BVET) technique for superficialization of a basilic arteriovenous fistula. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing outcomes between BVTT and BVET for brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation. Primary endpoints were primary patency at several time intervals during follow-up and postoperative local complications, whereas secondary endpoints included primary assisted patency and secondary patency. A random effects model meta-analysis was conducted, and the I² statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. Nine eligible studies were identified, including 543 patients (247 in the BVTT group and 296 in the BVET group). BVTT group was associated with inferior primary patency rate at 6 months compared to BVET group (three studies; OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.22-0.83; I² = 0%; p = 0.012). However, primary patency rates were similar between the two study groups at 12 months (six studies; OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.33-1.22; I² = 40.7%; p = 0.176), and at 24 months (six studies; OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.32-2.29; I² = 74.9%; p = 0.764). No significant differences in terms of primary assisted patency, secondary patency, and postoperative complications were detected between the groups. More specifically, wound infection (BVTT: n = 9/150; BVET: n = 6/186; OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 0.48-4.06; I² = 0%; p = 0.542) and healing of the scar, particularly regarding arm edema (BVTT: n = 18/100; BVET: n = 27/165; OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.57-2.18; I² = 0%; p = 0.755) and hematoma formation (BVTT: n = 14/173; BVET: n = 42/209; OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.13-1.19; I² = 49%; p = 0.101), did not differ significantly between the two study groups. BVET achieved superior primary patency at 6 months compared to BVTT, but this benefit seems to be lost during longer follow-up intervals. Therefore, both surgical techniques provide similar long-term outcomes.