ABSTRACT
To describe the outcome of the sapheno-femoral fistula as an alternative blood access site formaintenance hemodialysis in a prospective cohort of patients with end - stage renal failure.Twenty-two patients with vascular access failure in the arms were admitted for establishing saphenofemoralfistula as a puncture site for hemodialysis. The major saphenous vein was exposed at the junction sitewith femoral vein and its tributary veins were ligated. The saphenous vein was isolated and mobilizedthroughout the thigh and end to side anastomosis accomplished with the superficial femoral artery by a running6-0 prolene suture after conducting the vein through a subcutaneous tunnel.Failure rate of saphenofemoral fistula was 22. 7% at two years follow up. Mean +/- SE survival of fistulawas 16.4 +/- 2.75 months. Significant survival difference wasn't seen between two sexes. Rate of woundinfection and chronic pain of surgery site was similar [9.1%].Two-year survival rate of 77% and morbidity less than 10% leads to suggestion of saphenofemoralfistula as an alternative for upper extremity fistulas in end- stage renal failure patients