The results of denatured homologous vein grafts as conduits for secondary haemodialysis access surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the value of denatured homologous vein grafts as a conduit for secondary haemodialysis access.

DESIGN

Retrospective clinical study.

SETTING

2 University Hospitals.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

One-hundred-and-twenty-five patients received 195 grafts over a period of five years. Fifty-six first grafts (45%) functioned without complications throughout the study period of 5.8 years.

MAIN

RESULTS

Primary patency was 57% after 1 year and 25% after 3 years of follow-up. Of the initial grafts, 69 (55%) needed 161 interventions, for thrombosis (n = 59), stenosis (n = 43), failure beyond repair (n = 40), aneurysm (n = 12), infection (n = 4), steal syndrome (n = 1), and other causes (n = 2). Secondary patency was 76% at 1 year and 52% at 3 years of follow-up. A major advantage of these grafts was the low rate (2.6%) of infection. Aneurysm formation occurred 17 times in 195 grafts (8.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Denatured homologous vein graft is a good alternative in secondary access surgery.