The quality of a vascular access determines clinical outcomes of patients on hemodialysis. The creation of the tunnel for conduit insertion is an important step during the access. A rigid metallic tunneler was developed and employed to create arteriovenous fistulas. The device has proven advantageous and safe in operations for the creation of venous accesses for hemodialysis in the upper extremity.
renal insufficiency, chronic; arteriovenous fistula; upper extremity
