you are at home
It is appropriate to keep your arm at heart level for the first 24-48 hours to reduce pain and swelling. To do this, put a pillow under the arm. Keep the arm as straight as possible.
Place a pillow under your arm so that your arm is at heart level.
Your dressing may be contaminated with some blood. In case of excessive soiling, you may need to change the dressing with clean gauze.
If you have pain, you can use painkillers containing paracetamol.
The day after the operation, if your vascular surgeon recommends it, start hand exercises that accelerate fistula maturation.
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Some bruising due to some subcutaneous blood leakage may be observed around the surgery area. Pomade (Lasonil) can be applied to this area.
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Pain, redness, increased temperature and discharge in the surgery area in the first weeks after surgery suggest the possibility of infection. In this case, your dialysis physician will start the appropriate antibiotic for you.
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Swelling and redness may develop in the arm, especially in patients with graft placement. In this case, this swelling subsides by keeping the arm elevated. When you think you have significant swelling in your arm, it's early It is appropriate for you to come for a check-up.
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Coldness, paleness and pain in your operated arm may indicate circulatory dysfunction. In this case, consult your doctor.
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Check the operation of the fistula once a day. In case of fistula obstruction Early intervention is very important. Your fistula can be made functional again with interventions called early revision. Thus, you can continue dialysis from your fistula without the need for a catheter.