Advantages of polytetrafluoroethylene arteriovenous loops in the thigh for hemodialysis access

Background The upper thigh is an alternative but infrequently used site to the forearm for placement of subcutaneous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) arteriovenous conduits in patients requiring hemodialysis for end stage renal failure. This site has the great advantage of easier accessibility for self-cannulation. Methods The outcome was reviewed for 74 PTFE loops placed in 61 patients between 1985 and 1991. Results Mean loop survival time was 99.8 weeks (SD 78.0) when patients with early failure (<1 week), and those patients whose loops functioned adequately until transplantation or death were excluded. Infection occurred in 12 of 74 loops. Conclusions Thigh PTFE loops provide satisfactory medium- to long-term vascular access for hemodialysis although, like all other forms of access currently available, they fall short of the ideal for prolonged dialysis.