Basilic Vein Transposition versus Basilic Vein Elevation: A Comparative Study in terms of Wound Infection, Limb Oedema, Hematoma and Primary Patency Rates

Abstract

Objective: To compare the results of basilic vein elevation with basilic vein transposition in terms of wound complications and patency rates.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.

Place and duration of study: Vascular Surgery Department, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan 2021 to Jan 2022.

Methods: Ninety-four patients participated in the study, with 47 in each Group. Patients in the basilic vein elevation (BVE)
Group underwent single-stage elevation, whereas 34 underwent two-stage elevation. The patients were closely followed for a year after the first successful dialysis from the fistula at three months, six months and 12-months period. The primary patency rates were comparable in both Groups.

Results: The mean age of participants was 52.46± 13.54 years, ranging from 23-76 years. There were 7(7.4%) patients in whom fistula failed to mature, out of which 4(8.5%) were from the Basilic Vein Transposition (BVT) Group, and 3(6.4%) were from the BE-Group. There were fistula salvage attempts in all cases, and 4(4.3%) fistulas were salvaged 2(4.3%) in each group.3(3.2%) fistulas were declared as primary failure. There were 17(37.8%) complications in the BVT-Group and 27(58.7%) in the BE-Group (p-value= 0.046).

Conclusion: Various techniques have been related to brachiobasilic fistula creation with variable results in terms of postoperative complications and primary patency rates. Basilic vein transposition has a lower complication rate than basilic vein elevation.