Basilic Vein Transposition: A Good Vascular Route for Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Hemodialysis is a necessary treatment for life in patients with chronic renal failure when peritoneal dialysis and renal transplantation can not be an option. In this study, the results of basilic vein transposition (BVT) procedures performed in our clinic for hemodialysis were retrospectively analyzed. Materials and Methods: In our study, 21 patients who underwent BVT between January 2018 and November 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Eight patients had previously undergone a brachiobasilic fistula in another center, and one patient previously had a brachiaobasilic fistula in our center. Twelve patients underwent both brachiobasilic fistula and BVT in the same session, while the other nine patients had only BVT, duration of dialysis, fistula maturation, follow-up, and follow-up complications. Results: BVT was performed at both non-dominant arms and in the fistula arm if the patient had brachiobasilic fistula before and in the other patients. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) was created at a dominant arm if the non-dominant arm was non-suitable. Bleeding occurred in two patients that did not require surgery again. Two patients had superficial tissue infection resolved by antibiotherapy, and two patients underwent thrombectomy and provided patency at one patient. Conclusion: Although BVT is not the first choice, it is a method that can be used safely if the radiocephalic and brachiocephalic fistulas do not work or if there is no suitable vessel in these regions.