Outcomes of surgical revision of stenosed and thrombosed forearm arteriovenous fistulae for haemodialysis

Background. Surgery is an established treatment for stenosed and thrombosed forearm arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs), but the literature on its outcome is limited. We report our experience of the surgical repair of stenosis in patent and thrombosed forearm AVFs and evaluate the outcome of two procedures, proximal neo-anastomosis (NEO) vs replacement of the stenosed segment with a polytetrafluoroethylene graft interposition (GI). Methods. Sixty-four stenosed forearm AVFs underwent surgery, 32 pre-emptively and 32 post-thrombosis. End points of the study were initial success, restenosis and access loss rates. After treatment, AVFs were surveilled for restenosis by measuring access flow quarterly and performing at least one follow-up angiogram.