Definition of Renal Fistulas

Renal fistula refers to the connecting of a vein and an artery, usually in the forearm, that creates a suitable site for dialysis to take place and is performed through a surgical procedure.

Purpose

• Renal fistulas are usually done in patients who are about to undergo kidney dialysis. The connection of the vein and artery creates a much larger site from which blood can be removed and injected into the blood stream of a patient.

Procedure

• Creating a renal fistula involves a surgical procedure performed by a doctor in which a vein and the artery in the forearm are connected. The renal fistula takes several weeks to form and must be performed several weeks before dialysis is to begin.

Recipients

• Renal fistula surgery is usually only performed on patients who will be undergoing dialysis for a prolonged period of time. People who will undergo dialysis for a temporary period of time can usually just use an unfistulated vein in the arm.

Graft

• Sometimes a renal fistula will not produce a large enough vein for dialysis. In these cases, a graft (small tube inserted into a vein) is often used.

Risks

• The most common risks associated with renal fistulas include infection after the surgery or clots that result from the improper joining of the vein and artery.