Creating hemodialysis autogenous access in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) in childhood and adolescence is rare, with relatively few published reports of pediatric ESRD vascular access. This study analyzes a 10-year experience creating arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in children and adolescents. Our goal is to review our strategy for creating functional autogenous vascular access in younger patients and report our results. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data and outcomes for consecutive vascular access patients aged ≤19 years during a 10-year period. Each patient had preoperative vascular ultrasound mapping by the operating surgeon in addition to physical examination. A distal forearm radiocephalic AVF was the first access choice when feasible, and a proximal radial artery inflow AVF was the next option. Demographic data, inflow artery, venous outflow target, and required transposition vs direct AVFs were variables included in the analysis. Primary and cumulative patency were calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-seven AVFs were created in 35 patients. No grafts were used. Ages were 6 to 19 years (mean, 15 years), and 20 were male. Causes of ESRD included glomerular disease (n = 18) and urinary obstruction or reflux (n = 7), among others. Three had previous AVFs, and 10 were obese. The proximal radial artery supplied AVF inflow in 25 patients and the brachial artery in only seven. Eleven individuals required a transposition and one a vein translocation to the contralateral arm. No patients developed hand ischemia, although two later required banding procedures for high flow. Eleven patients had successful transplants. A single patient died, unrelated to the vascular access. Five AVFs failed. Of these, two had new successful AVFs created, two regained renal function, one was transplanted, and one declined other procedures. Primary and cumulative patency rates were 75% and 85% at 12 months, 70% and 85% at 24 months, and 51% and 85% at 36 months, respectively. Median follow-up was 16 months. CONCLUSIONS: Creating an AVF for hemodialysis is a successful vascular access strategy for pediatric and adolescent patients. Proximal radial artery AVFs provided safe and functional access when a distal AVF was not feasible. Cumulative AVF patency was 85% at 36 months.