Microsurgery for haemodialysis distal arteriovenous fistulae in children weighing less than 10kg.

Between 1977 and 1981, 30 distal arteriovenous fistulae have been created in 22 children weighing less than 10kg. With microsurgical techniques the rate of immediate patency was 90%. Fifteen fistulae had a maturation sufficient for haemodialysis, sometimes after secondary superficialisation of the vein. The evolution of six fistulae could not be evaluated either because of the death of the child shortly after operation or because the anastomosis was too recent. Nine fistulae failed because of immediate or secondary thrombosis and lack of maturation.