Mild to moderate steal symptoms are common in a hemodialysis patient. Individuals with a BC are at a higher risk for developing complaints associated with reduced hand circulation compared to patients with a RC or loop. Low finger pressures in the presence of steal symptoms are usually reversible.

Hand ischaemia occurring early after routine access surgery is usually related to grafts and not to autogenous access construction. If patients have several risk factors for acute hand ischaemia (diabetes), nephrologists and vascular surgeons may choose an autogenous AVA. A disadvantage of an autogenous access is its association with chronic hand ischaemia, particularly if constructed with a brachial artery.

Chemotherapy-induced pulmonary toxicity is reversible, whereas nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity are not. However, the long-term effects of chemotherapy in testicular cancer patients were minor and not invalidating.

Rectal mobilization had a statistically significant effect on colonic function. Total and segmental colonic transit times doubled. The effects on anorectal function were not significant. Division of the lateral ligaments did not significantly influence postoperative functional outcome.

A hemodialysis access may lead to cardiac overload (CO) or hand ischemia [hemodialysis access induced distal ischemia (HAIDI). Surgical banding restricts access flow and promotes distal perfusion. Aim of the study was to investigate short- and long-term clinical success of banding in these patient groups. After evaluation using a standard protocol, banding procedures (n = 19) were performed in patients (n = 17) with a hemodialysis access flow > or =2 l/minute or with refractory HAIDI. Various parameters including access flow, digital brachial index (DBI), and symptomatology of hand ischemia using a standard scoring system were determined before and after the operation. Surgical banding in CO patients (n = 9) lowered access flows by 2 l (Flow(preop) 3.2 +/- 0.3 l/minute vs. Flow(postop) 1.2 +/- 0.1 l/minute, p < 0.001). Banding in HAIDI patients (n = 10) increased DBI from 0.52 +/- 0.08 to 0.65 +/- 0.08 (p = 0.05), whereas ischemic symptomatology was attenuated (153 +/- 33 to 42 +/- 15, p < 0.02). All patients successfully continued dialysis, and immediate access occlusions (<3 months) were not observed. Access flows remained at acceptable levels after a mean follow-up of 30 months in surviving patients (n = 11, flow: 1.0 +/- 0.1 l/min). Two patients were reoperated for recurrent CO (one and 28 months postoperatively). Surgical banding monitored by measurement of flow and finger pressures is an effective short- and long-term treatment modality for hemodialysis access related CO or distal ischemia.

An immediate postbanding access flow >1 L/min and young age are risk factors for recurrent high flow in a banded brachial artery-based HD access during a 1-year follow-up.

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Hemodialysis patients may develop distal ischemia in an extremity harboring a functioning arteriovenous access (AVA). Surgery is indicated if conservative treatment including catheter-based therapies fails. The role of surgical banding for refractory hemodialysis access-induced distal ischemia (HAIDI) is systematically reviewed (n=39 articles). If banding is executed without an intraoperative monitoring tool ("blind"), or guided by finger pressures only, clinical success and access patency rates are low (<50%). In contrast, banding is clinically successful when access flow is monitored during the operative procedure, with excellent long-term patency of banded AVA's (97%, 17 +/- 3 months). Banding is the method of choice in HAIDI patients with a normal or high access flow (>1.2 l/min) provided that flow and distal perfusion are closely monitored intraoperatively.