Can ANYONE provide a 2-d or 3-d sketch of a buttonhole site cannulation. To visualize the vein from the side elevation and see the angle of repeated sticks that establishes the canal would be a great teaching device for future techs who will have to learn the method for home hemo. to this point, I can only imagine the angle and depth from descriptions of technique. Show us a sketch. Please.
dj, I believe the buttonhole video you reference is the one made by Dr. Twardowski. It shows the buttonhole technique being performed by George Harper, a home dialysis patient that has been using buttonhole for about a dozen years. This video also shows some doppler images of a formed buttonhole site in a native AV Fistula. Contact Medisystems to learn how to obtain a copy of this buttonhole video. 1-800-369-6334.
Pat, sorry it has taken me so long to reply, but my graft failed and I had to have a new one placed. I have zero info on signle needle dialysis after repeatedly asking my nurses for info. I need articles on how, where to get equipment (use different needles???)and anything else you have. Thanks!!
Posts: 11 | Location: Norton, Ohio USA | Registered: 30 December 2000
Buttonhole Cannulation should only be used with Native AV Fistulas. The pressure in synthetic grafts makes using this technique with them prohibitive.
The buttonhole technique has not been validated for use with synthetic grafts. All buttonhole cannulation studies that I am aware of have been done on Native AV Fistulas.
Patt, It has been awhile, hope you see this post. I was under the impression that single needle access and buttonhole technique were to separate things. I understand buttonhole to be using the same site over and over until you have a site compaired to an earing hole (and I realize this has to be with a natural graft -- not a synthetic). I am hoping to use only one needle for both arterial and venous with a lower blood flow rate. I hear it is used in Canada and Europe a great deal. Any thoughts as to where to look?
