Dialysis Patient Needing Arm Surgery
04/22/2011 |
Question:
My mother is a hemodialysis patient and has an AV fistula in her lower arm near her wrist. She also has severe carpel tunnel in both of her wrists.She`s scheduled for carpel tunnel release surgery in a few days in her other wrist which is expected to stop the pain. However, can the same surgery be performed on her `access` arm without damaging the fistula to get the other one?
I`ve spoken to her nephrologist, the orthopedic surgeon, etc. and no one seems to give me an answer as to if her `access` arm can be safely treated. Since a vascular surgeon created her fistula about 9 years ago I`m hoping maybe someone in this profession can give me some insight.
Any information is greatly appreciated.
Answer:
I don’t do carpal tunnel surgery, but to my knowledge, this should not affect the dialysis access unless a tourniquet is used which would occlude the fistula.
For more information:
Go to the Vascular Surgery health topic.