Recanalization of thrombosed arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis by minimal venotomy.

The present work describes the preliminary results of a new method of minimally invasive thrombectomy in the treatment of thrombosed arteriovenous fistula (AVF) with dilated aneurysm. Data from 25 patients who were treated with this minimal venotomy technique were retrospectively reviewed. The minimal venotomy was made on the dilated fistula, and thrombectomy was performed with forceps and Fogarty catheters through the venotomy site. Technical and clinical success was achieved in all 25 patients. There were two major and two minor complications (8% each). The two major complications consisted of bleeding at the venotomy site after early suture removal.