Immediate postoperative complications following hemodialysis access procedures

From August 1989 to August 1994, 173 arteriovenous fistules were constructed in 162 patients for permanent hemodialysis: 49 autogenous and 124 graft fistulas (polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE)-119, others-5). Previous access procedures were noted in 93 graft fistulas (76%) versus 8 autogenous fistulas (16.3%). In the immediate postoperative period, 13 graft fistulas (10.6%) developed complications (5 anastomotic hemorrhages, 4 thrombosis, 3 hypotension without hemorrhage, and 1 sepsis), while 2 (4.1%) autogenous fistulas developed immediate postoperative complications (1 anastomotic hemorrhage and 1 thrombosis). Graft fistulas had a higher, although not statistically significant incidence of immediate postoperative complications versus autogenous fistulas. These graft fistula complications were associated with multiple access procedures and required surgical exploration. Based on these results, we should make every effort to construct the autogenous fistula as the first choice of hemodialysis access procedure in properly selected patients.