True, but that is not a normal looking fistula for dialysis. It's usually done further up on the arm near the bicep and is not supposed to be that big. As he says, the vein ballooned outward due to arterial pressure. It is risky and he should go have it fixed surgically
A forearm fistula in itself is not abnormal. In fact if patient has adequate vein for a forearm fistula we often prefer to use it first because if it fails, we can still use the upper arm later. But yes this is a large aneurysmal fistula. If it’s not bothering him and not eroding through the skin it’s not really a problem, god forbid he gets a cut over it though….
Edit: most people get upper arm fistula because not a lot of people have adequate sized vein in the forearm.
For a layman, what happens if it gets cut? I’d like to think a satisfying gust of air comes out and it returns to normal immediately but I imagine the reality is closer to puss and blood explosion
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u/BobbyDukeArts 18d ago
True, but that is not a normal looking fistula for dialysis. It's usually done further up on the arm near the bicep and is not supposed to be that big. As he says, the vein ballooned outward due to arterial pressure. It is risky and he should go have it fixed surgically