Contemporary vascular access surgery for chronic haemodialysis

The quality of life of dialysis-dependent patients in any centre reflects the standards of its vascular access service. Poor access invariably causes inadequate dialysis while fistula failure disrupts the patient's life style, results in the need for further surgical intervention, frequently leads to hospitalization and has adverse financial implications for the patient as well as the provider. The authors review the fundamental principles and recent advances in the establishment and preservation of vascular access for chronic haemodialysis.