Patency and Efficacy of Anatomical Snuffbox Arteriovenous Fistula Compared with Wrist Fistula in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

Highlights

• Type of research: single center, prospective comparative cohort study.

• Key findings: results of snuffbox AVF compared with wrist fistula showed there was no statistical difference between efficacy rates of AVF in these 2 groups. Female gender and diabetes had negative effect on AVF patency.

• Take-home message: anatomical snuffbox is the most distal part of the extremity that the AVF can be constructed, and if it fails, there is an opportunity to create a fistula on the same wrist.

Abstract

Introduction: Snuffbox arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is one of the most common vascular accesses for hemodialysis. Despite all the advantages, it is not usually considered the first choice of treatment. This could be primarily due to difficulty in its technical procedure and a higher probability of failure than other sites such as cubital. Therefore, the present study aimed at comparing the efficacy and patency rate between the snuffbox and the wrist AVF. Methods: Seventy-eight patients with end-stage renal disease were enrolled in this study. They were randomly assigned into the snuffbox and the wrist groups. Each participant had an appropriate vein at the time of examination and was eligible for distal AVF creation. The procedure was conducted under local anesthesia, and arteriovenous anastomosis was done in an end-to-side configuration. AVF maturation was defined by initiation of successful dialysis through the AVF 8–10 weeks postoperatively.

Results: The results showed that 61% of snuffbox AVFs and 65% of wrist AVFs became matured and were used for further dialysis. Diabetes and female sex had negative impacts on AVF patency. In addition, no significant relationship was found between the patency rate and demographic as well as clinical variables such as age, hypertension, and duration of the previous dialysis.

Conclusions: No significant differences were found in the maturation and patency rate between the wrist and the snuffbox AVFs. Therefore, the snuffbox fistula is recommended in the first step, as there would be a possibility for re-creation on the ipsilateral wrist once the AVF fails.