Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The feasibility of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation in pediatric patients has long been documented, but few studies have evaluated the forms and long-term outcomes. The aim of this article is to highlight the types, techniques and outcomes of AVFs in pediatric age group. METHODS: This is multi-center, retrospective, single cohort study, including all the cases of pediatric (less than 18 year old) cases underwent AVF creation during four years (2015-2019). The following data were obtained from the patients' medical records and analyzed; socio-demographics, etiology of renal failure (RF), history of dialysis and transplantation, type and site of AVF, the outcomes and complications. RESULTS: The study included 108 patients, 89 patients (82.4%) were female. The mean age was 13 years. The most common cause of RF was the urological causes which were found in 34 cases (31.5%), followed by nephrotic syndrome (32 cases, 29.6%), glomerulonephritis (27 cases, 25%), and polycystic kidney disease (12 cases, 11.1%). The decision for choosing access site was performed only by clinical examination in 96 patients (88.9%) while duplex ultrasound was requested for 12 cases (11.1%). The operation was done under local anesthesia in 81 cases (75%) and general anesthesia in 27 cases (25%). The procedure was performed in the wrist in 58 cases (53.7%) and in cubital fossa in 50 cases (46.2%). The most common early complication was hematoma (12 cases, 11.1%), followed by ecchymosis (10 cases, 9.3%), infection (8, 7.4%), seroma (4, 3.7%) and thrombosis (3, 2.8%). The one-year primary patency rate was found in 95 patients (88%) and two-year patency rate in 86 patients (79.6%). CONCLUSION: Native AVF in pediatric is the first choice dialysis access even in pediatric population. Radiocephalic in the non-dominant hand is the most preferred site.