How long is AV graft surgery? Is hospitalization required? Is it painful?

Arteriovenous grafts are commonly used in patients with kidney failure to remove toxins from the body through hemodialysis, commonly known as "dialysis."

For patients requiring long-term hemodialysis, a stable hemodialysis access is essential.

A well-established arteriovenous graft can facilitate the simpler extraction of blood from the body, its purification, and then its return to the patient's body.

You might be wondering: How long does the surgery take? Will it hurt? And do I need to stay in the hospital? Let's dive into the details!

What are the types of hemodialysis access?

Before undergoing hemodialysis, a functional vascular access must be established, and there are three common types of hemodialysis access.

All three types of access allow blood to be rapidly extracted from the body, purified, and then quickly returned to the patient's body.

➤ Native Fistula

A native fistula is created when a patient's superficial veins are thick and large enough to provide sufficient blood flow for dialysis.

➤ Synthetic Graft

A synthetic graft is typically used when a patient does not have healthy superficial veins, or when dialysis needs to start immediately without waiting for surface veins to grow.

In this case, a synthetic graft is used to connect an artery and a deep vein.

➤ Temporary Dialysis Catheter

A temporary dialysis catheter is used when a patient's vascular conditions are poor and an arteriovenous graft cannot be established.

The catheter is directly inserted into the superior or inferior vena cava near the heart for blood extraction.

The advantage of this treatment is that dialysis can begin on the same day as the surgery.

How does an arteriovenous (AV) graft work?

An arteriovenous graft works by connecting an artery to a vein using a synthetic tube.

This tube is placed under the skin and blood flows continuously through this graft.

When a patient needs hemodialysis, a dialysis nurse can easily access this graft to draw a large amount of blood out of the body for purification, and then return it.

What is the procedure for creating an AV graft?

Patients with kidney failure typically do not undergo general anesthesia for arteriovenous graft surgery. Instead, the procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia.

The primary surgical site for hemodialysis grafts is the arm. However, in some cases due to specific medical conditions, the chest or thigh may be selected as the surgical site.

Do I need to stay in the hospital for AV graft surgery?

Whether or not you need to stay in the hospital for arteriovenous graft surgery depends on your individual situation.

Generally, with proper care, patients do not need to be hospitalized for AV graft surgery.

However, for patients who are extremely afraid of pain or are unconscious, hospitalization and general anesthesia may be recommended to ensure a smooth surgical procedure.

How long does arteriovenous graft surgery take?

Generally, AV graft takes about 1-2 hours.

For patients who undergo general anesthesia, there is an additional recovery period of about 1 hour in the recovery room, making the total surgery time approximately 2-3 hours.

If a patient has been taking antiplatelet drugs for a long time, blood clotting may be more difficult, which can prolong the time it takes to stop bleeding during the surgery.

In such cases, a self-pay biological glue may be used to reduce bleeding.

Arteriovenous Graft Surgery Procedure

• Graft placement: Approximately 1-2 hours
• Recovery room observation: About 1 hour
• Total surgery time: Around 2-3 hours

Will it hurt after getting an AV graft? How long will the pain last?

After the arteriovenous graft surgery, patients may experience soreness at the surgical site.

This pain is usually caused by changes in blood circulation in the hand, leading to numbness, swelling, and pain.

How long does the pain last?

Most people find that the pain gradually goes away over about a month. If the pain is severe, you can take pain medication to help manage it.

What should I look out for after getting an arteriovenous graft?

After arteriovenous graft surgery, it usually takes six to eight weeks before the graft can be used for dialysis.

After the surgery, it is important to monitor the graft site for redness, infection, or fever.

Additionally, due to changes in blood circulation in the hand, the palm may sometimes feel cold and numb.

If this occurs, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly.

Caring for Your AV Graft After Surgery

• Monitor the graft site on the arm for redness, infection, or fever.
• If the palm feels cold and numb, seek medical attention promptly.
• Wait 6-8 weeks before using the graft for dialysis.