Utility of the buttonhole cannulation method for hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistulas

摘要

Arteriovenous fistulas are commonly cannulatecl using the rope-ladder technique, which can be difficult to use if the fistula is short, or if the patient finds cannulation stressful. The buttonhole approach, whereby the cannula is inserted at the same place each time, might overcome these problems. OBJECTIVE To compare the buttonhole and rope-ladder cannulation techniques in hemodialysis patients.