Role of angiographic catheters in surgery of popliteal arteriovenous fistulas.

A 50-year-old woman with a chronic, traumatic popliteal arteriovenous fistula was treated surgically by closure of the fistula. Placement of an angiographic catheter across the fistula into the venous sac immediately before surgery helped to locate the fistula accurately and quickly at operation. This simple manoeuvre will facilitate surgical treatment, particularly in cases of long-standing, chronic arteriovenous fistulas.