Banding of a PTFE hemodialysis fistula in the treatment of steal syndrome.

The construction of various types of access fistulas for hemodialysis has been known to be followed by ischemic symptoms distal to the anastomosis. The occurrence of a steal phenomenon as a complication of a PTFE (Gortex) fistula is often serious enough to necessitate taking down the fistula. A typical patient with this steal phenomenon is presented illustrating the value of banding the graft to reverse steal without significant threat of thrombosis.