[Preserved saphenous grafts in hemodialysis. 20 years' experience]

From 1972 to 1992, 790 vascular conduits were implanted as vascular access in hemodialysis patients, of whom 402 were "longs" (length above 15 cm), with 168 PTFE grafts and 234 homosaphenous preserved vein grafts matching 136 manufactured and 98 self-prepared grafts. Functional period of time as 10 years has been obtained with the two materials, and up to twelve years with one manufactured graft. Among complications were observed 12% serious infection with PTFE graft compared to 2% with homosaphenous graft; aneurysm on 9% of PTFE grafts and 11% of saphenous graft, stenosis on vein graft anastomosis in 65% of the PTFE cases and 85% of the saphenous cases. There were 12% complications specific to PTFE grafts. Finally, homosaphenous vein is a material of choice in hemodialysis vascular access, mainly with the manufactured grafts.