Introduction: Radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) for dialysis have significantly high maturation failure rate. Many surgical technique-related factors are known to impact the outcomes of AVF surgery; anastomotic suturing technique is one such factor for which the published data is sparse. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent end-to-side radio-cephalic AVF surgery during a 2-year period and grouped it according to the two techniques of anastomotic suturing: Anchor technique and parachute technique. Comparative analysis was done to study the effect of the technique on well-defined outcomes within the first 6 months of surgery. Results: A total of 119 AVFs (anchor technique = 65, parachute technique = 54) were included in the study. The aggregated primary patency at 6 weeks and 6 months was 85.7% and 78.1% respectively and successful use of fistula was seen in 62.2%. The parachute technique was associated with lower immediate access thrombosis (3.7% vs. 15.4%, P = 0.019) and primary failure (31.5% vs. 43%, P = 0.033) than the anchor technique. The groups did not differ statistically in outcomes like early access failure (P = 0.376), maturation failure (P = 0.105), primary patency at 6 weeks (P = 0.07) and at 6 months (P = 0.083) and successful use of fistula at 6 months (P = 0.196). Conclusion: In this retrospective single-center study, the parachute technique of anastomotic suturing was associated with lower incidence of immediate access failure of radio-cephalic AVF as compared to the anchor technique, although other early outcomes were similar with both techniques. The effects of different suturing techniques on surgical outcomes of AVF should be studied in large randomized trials.

Background: Anastomotic pseudoaneurysm affecting arteriovenous fistula created for hemodialysis is an unusual and catastrophic complication. There is lack of clinical data in literature about its incidence and management. Aims and Objectives: To study the incidence and understand the aetiology of anastomotic pseudoaneurysm of arteriovenous fistula (PA-AVF) occurring in first six months after surgery. Materials and Methods: Cohort study based on retrospective analysis of three-year data of case-series of PA-AVF occurring in first six months after AV fistula creation for hemodialysis. Results: Among the 283 AV fistula surgeries (215 distal forearm radio-cephalic AVF and 68 brachial artery or cubital region AVF), 7 patients (2.4%) developed PA-AVF within 1 to 8 weeks after AV fistula surgery. Over-extended dependence on non-cuffed hemodialysis (HD) catheter was a common factor among patients developing this complication. All the patients had a prolonged stay (34 to 75 days) of non-cuffed HD catheters before development of PA-AVF. Diagnosis of HD catheter-related blood stream infection (HD-CRBSI), which overlapped with development of PA-AVF, was proven in 4 patients, two of which also had surgical site infection. One patient had traumatic PA-AVF and in two patients the cause could not be established although features consistent with CRBSI were present. Excision of pseudoaneurysm and ligation of radial artery was done in all cases. Conclusion: Infection is the most common cause of anastomotic pseudoaneurysm of AV fistula. Our study points towards extended use of non-cuffed hemodialysis catehters as a risk factor for development of PA-AVF. Prevention and early aggressive management of CRBSI and surgical site infections along with a limited use of non-cuffed HD catheters for the minimum required duration is the key to reduce the incidence of this complication