During Operation
How Should We Prepare for the Operation?
-During the operation, medications will be given to eliminate the feeling of pain. For this reason, you will feel very little pain. For this reason, you do not need to fear that you will feel pain.
- Your Vascular Surgeon will give you detailed information about what kind of operation will be performed in which area. You can ask your surgeon any questions you have.
- Bring with you the ECG, Doppler USG, Venography, Angiography, Hepatitis and Biochemistry tests performed on the day of the operation.
- Use your Insulin and other medications in the same way unless your Vascular Surgeon states otherwise. Aspirin etc. Do not take blood thinning medications.
- Ideally, it is appropriate for you to stay in the hospital on the night of the fistula operation. Because staying in the hospital reduces problems such as bleeding and clogging of the fistula and allows emergency intervention when necessary. For this reason, you should be prepared to stay the night when coming to the hospital.
- Fistula operation is generally performed on non-dialysis days. Your doctor may move your post-operative dialysis session forward 1-2 days if necessary.
What are your suggestions for the operation day?
- Be at the hospital at the specified time on the morning of the operation day.
- You can have a light breakfast on the morning of the operation unless otherwise stated.
- Go to the hospital with comfortable clothes.
- Your operation will usually be performed around noon.
- Previous operations may delay your surgery for a while. Despite everything, your operation will be performed that day.
- You will be informed by the medical team when the operating room is ready for you.
Which Anesthesia Methods Can Be Applied?
Anesthetic substances are used to ensure that the surgery is painless. Commonly applied methods are:
Local anesthesia: Local anesthetic medicine will be applied to the operation area with a syringe. The effect begins after a few minutes.
Intravenous Sedation: Generally safer than general anesthesia. Sedatives and narcotic analgesics will be administered through a vein in your other arm. With these medications, the feeling of pain disappears and a calming effect occurs.
If you have pain despite these methods, additional methods can be applied.
How is Fistula Operation Performed?
In fistula operation, your surgeon will:
- A small incision is made on the wrist or elbow.
- Your arteries and veins are prepared.
- The artery and vein are connected to each other with very thin stitches.
- After the connection is established, vibration (Thrill) is observed.
- The subcutaneous and skin are closed with stitches.
- Protective dressing is applied.
How is Graft (Artificial Vein) Operation Performed?
In graft operation:
- Usually 2 incisions are made.
- Your arteries and veins are found and prepared.
- A plastic tube-shaped graft is placed between the artery and vein.
- The ends of the graft are connected to the artery and vein.
- It is checked that the graft is working.
- The skin is closed with sutures.
How long can fistula and graft operations take?
The duration of fistula and graft operations may vary between 30 minutes and 3 hours. The duration of surgery varies depending on your vascular structure, the type of surgery and tissue characteristics.