Service · Vascular access

Your fistula is your lifeline.

Surgical creation, maturation tracking, salvage, and infection control — the access that decides whether dialysis is gentle or brutal.

Book a Visit → Call +91 98181 83957

What it is

Why your fistula matters more than your machine.

An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is the surgical connection between an artery and a vein — usually in the forearm — that creates a strong, durable channel for the blood flow dialysis needs.

It is the gold-standard dialysis access: lower infection risk, lower thrombosis risk, longer lifespan, and far better long-term outcomes than catheters. Every nephrologist will tell you the same thing: get a fistula early, look after it religiously.

At Renacare, fistula creation and salvage are managed in-house — by surgeons we trust, by nephrologists who monitor maturation, and by interventional teams who can fix problems before they become emergencies.

"A patient with a working fistula has a future. A patient on a catheter is on borrowed time."

How we do it differently

Created with surgery. Salvaged with skill.

Most centres create fistulas and forget them. We track every one, week by week.

Creation

Surgical precision, doppler-mapped

Pre-op vein mapping, microsurgical technique, primary patency reviewed against international standards. We choose the right site for your anatomy — not the easy site.

Maturation tracking

Weekly review until ready

Your fistula is examined at every dialysis session from creation to first cannulation. Flow, thrill, bruit, depth — documented and reviewed by your nephrologist.

Salvage in-house

Fistuloplasty when it fails

Stenosis, thrombosis, declotting — our interventional nephrology team can fix most problems same-day. No referrals, no waits.

Cannulation discipline

Trained nurses, rotating sites

Bad cannulation kills good fistulas. Our nurses are trained in rope-ladder and buttonhole technique. We protect what we create.

What to expect

From planning to your first cannulation.

A good fistula takes time. We plan for it months before dialysis starts.

Consultation & mapping

Nephrologist and surgeon assess your veins with doppler ultrasound. Best site is chosen — wrist, forearm, or upper arm.

Day-care surgery

Performed under local or regional anaesthesia. Most patients go home the same day. Wound care instructions, no heavy lifting.

Maturation: 6–12 weeks

Fistula matures over weeks. We monitor at every visit. Hand exercises and follow-up doppler confirm readiness.

First cannulation

Once mature, our most experienced nurse performs first cannulation. Rotation protocol established. Site protection counselling.

Frequently asked

Questions worth asking.

Before you start a treatment anywhere — these are the questions to ask. We've answered ours.

How long does an AV fistula last?

A well-cared-for fistula can last 10–20 years or more. Lifespan depends on creation quality, cannulation technique, and how aggressively problems are caught early.

Can a fistula be salvaged if it stops working?

Often yes. Stenosis can be ballooned (fistuloplasty), clots can be removed, and failing accesses can be revised. Our interventional nephrology team handles most salvage in-house — same day.

Does fistula surgery hurt?

It is done under local or regional anaesthesia. Most patients describe pressure, not pain. Post-op soreness lasts a day or two. You go home the same day.

When should I get a fistula created?

Ideally before you need dialysis — once your nephrologist sees eGFR trending toward 15–20. Creating a fistula early avoids the catheter trap and gives you the best long-term access.

Talk to a nephrologist.

Whether you're starting dialysis, switching centres, or just want a second opinion — one conversation tells you everything you need.

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