RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The introduction of haemodialysis has prolonged the lives of patients with end-stage-renal disease (ESRD). To maintain them on long-term dialysis, vascular access procedures are required. OBJECTIVES: To describe the experience with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) from a developing country. METHODS: Eighty-two AVF were created in 74 patients on maintenance haemodialysis. They all had side-to-end AVF using prolene 7/0 monofilament suture for anastomoses. RESULTS: There were 55 males and 19 females with a male: female ratio of 2.9:1. The ages ranged from 18 to 70 years with a mean of 43.4 "12.1 years. Most of the AVF created were on the left upper limbs with the radio-cephalic and brachio-cephalic accounting for more than 70% . Eight patients developed thrombosis of the veins used for the AVF and one developed a pseudo aneurysm. CONCLUSIONS: Arteriovenous fistula makes long-term haemodialysis feasible. It can be created easily and has a low rate of complications.