Saphenous vein forearm grafts and gortex thigh grafts as alternative forms of vascular access.

To compare the survival and complication rates of saphenous vein forearm grafts and gortex thigh grafts. Retrospective study over a twelve-year period with review of case-notes. Saphenous vein forearm grafts were constructed in 17 males and 12 females, mean age 61 years and gortex thigh grafts in 24 males and 22 females (49 grafts), mean age 49 years. Grafts were the primary form of access in 9 patients in each group. Follow-up was 45.6 and 135.2 patient years on dialysis for forearm grafts and thigh grafts respectively. One-year total survival was 89.4% (89.4% at 2 years and 71.5% at 3 years) and 84.9% (82.3% at 2 years and 70.4% at 3 years) for saphenous vein forearm grafts and gortex thigh grafts respectively. The overall complication rates were 0.22 and 0.61 per patient year on dialysis for saphenous vein forearm grafts and gortex thigh grafts respectively. Thrombosis occurred in 10% and 52%, infection in 0% and 35% and no complications in 62% and 24% of saphenous vein forearm grafts and gortex thigh grafts respectively. Both saphenous vein forearm grafts and gortex thigh grafts can provide satisfactory vascular access. The survival is similar at one year but gortex thigh grafts have a higher complication rate.