[What is to be done in the absence of a superficial venous network compatible with the creation of an arteriovenous shunt?]

Abstract

When the utilization of a simple arteriovenous fistula is out of the question, or no longer practicable, several alternative solutions have been advocated. Our own experience of surgery rests on 3000 vascular operations on dialysis patients since 1968. The solutions we have come to favour are saphenous vein homografts or heterografts with PTFE. The respective results seem to us equivalent so that either option can be held justified.