Salvage of brachiocephalic aneurysmatic fistulas, using ePTFE graft with a minimally invasive approach

Background: In this study, we evaluated our surgical approach in requiring surgical treatment of brachiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (AVF) aneurysms for salvage of AVF. Methods: Between 2012 and 2022, 20 patients (16 men, 4 women; mean age 54.5 years) who were surgically treated for a brachiocephalic AVF aneurysm in our Cardiovascular Surgery Clinic were evaluated retrospectively. These 20 patients were operated on for aneurysm thrombosis and fistula failure in 16 patients, sudden rupture and severe bleeding in 3 patients, cosmetic reasons, and anxiety in 1 patient. Results: These aneurysms were ligated and divided from distal and proximal cephalic veins. Then, a 6 mm dialysis graft was interposed between the well-developed cephalic vein distal and proximal to the aneurysm with small skin incisions. All patients were taken to dialysis via this dialysis graft 24 h after the procedure without any problem. All patients were discharged after dialysis. After surgery, no catheterization or any other additional procedure was required for hemodialysis. No complications, such as infection, hematoma, neurological damage, or ischemia, were observed after the surgical procedure. The mean postoperative follow-up was 12 months. Conclusion: In brachiocephalic AVF aneurysms requiring surgical treatment, hemodialysis can be continued with a graft placed in the same arm in this technique.