Methods: Thirty-six patients (23 males, 13 females; mean age 58.3 years; 43 to 77 years) who were treated in our cardiovascular outpatient clinic between January 2012 and September 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.
Results: Nineteen of the patients were diabetic (52.7%). Fistulas were located in the antecubital region in 21 patients (58.3%), while others were located in the distal forearm. We performed distal revascularization interval ligation in four patients (11.1%), banding in eight patients (22.2%), plication of anastomosis and dilated venous segment in four patients (11.1%), interposition of 6 mm PTFE graft in five patients (13.8%) and ligation of distal radial artery in eight patients (22.2%). Ligation of radial artery and lateral branches with banding was administered in four patients (11.1%). Three patients (8.3%) underwent revision surgery by using distal inflow. None of the patients had loss of thrill following the procedure. No catheter was required except for one patient. The mean follow-up was 10.9 months (range 1-28 months). The procedure failed in five patients (13.8%). The complaints were completely recovered in 31 patients.
Conclusion: We conclude that the continuity of dialysis can be highly sustained in patients with steal syndrome due to dialysis, maintaining the current arteriovenous fistulas through appropriate revision techniques.