There is alot of talk about fistula's and graft's. I don't know alot about how they are used. My dad has a fistula right above the crease in his arm. my question is, How are they accessed? Do the put the needles in the fistula or graft itself, or do they use the veins leading to it? They tried my dad's a few weeks ago, putting the needles in the vein above the fistula, but it did not work. Now, he has to have Vein Transposition surgery done. I thought that the needles were inserted directly into the fistula or graft itself. Am I wrong? Sure would appreciate some info.

Debra,

The surgical site you describe is called the anastomosis, this is where an artery and a vein are surgically connected together. The vein that has been connected to the artery is then called the "fistula". The needles for dialysis are then inserted into the vein/fistula once it has matured (gotten bigger). Sometimes a fistula does not mature or it can become clotted off, in either case, surgical intervention is often needed.