AV Fistula Surgery for Dialysis in Hyderabad
An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is the gold-standard, longest-lasting access for haemodialysis. Dr. Pritee Sharma creates and salvages AV fistulas — radiocephalic, brachiocephalic, brachiobasilic transposition and prosthetic AV grafts — at Renova Century Hospital, Banjara Hills.
An AV fistula joins an artery to a nearby vein under the skin so the vein enlarges and toughens over 6–8 weeks. It can then be cannulated three times a week for lifelong dialysis with the lowest infection and thrombosis rates of any access.
Careful pre-operative vein mapping by duplex ultrasound is crucial. Dr. Sharma performs the mapping herself, chooses the most distal usable site to preserve future options, and uses a magnifying loupe for precise anastomosis.
For failing or thrombosed fistulas, fistuloplasty (balloon angioplasty), thrombectomy and surgical revision are offered as day-care procedures.
Take the next step toward healthier vessels
Book a consultation with Dr. Pritee Sharma at Renova Century Hospital, Banjara Hills.
Symptoms to watch for
- Chronic kidney disease approaching dialysis
- Difficult dialysis with a temporary catheter
- Failing fistula — weak thrill, prolonged bleeding, high venous pressures
- Arm swelling from central venous stenosis
Common causes & risk factors
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Hypertensive nephrosclerosis
- Glomerulonephritis and chronic interstitial disease
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Repeated central catheter insertions damaging veins
How Dr. Pritee Sharma treats this condition
Radiocephalic (Brescia-Cimino) Fistula
First-choice fistula at the wrist — long lifespan, easy cannulation, preserves upper-arm veins.
Brachiocephalic Fistula
At the elbow — high flow, reliable maturation when wrist veins are inadequate.
Brachiobasilic Transposition
Two-stage procedure transposing the basilic vein to the surface — for patients with no other cephalic vein option.
AV Graft (PTFE)
Prosthetic graft used when native veins are unusable.
Fistuloplasty & Thrombectomy
Balloon angioplasty or open thrombectomy to salvage a failing/clotted fistula.
Central Venous Angioplasty
Opens subclavian or innominate stenosis causing arm swelling and fistula dysfunction.
Why early care matters
- Longest-lasting dialysis access — often 10+ years
- Lowest rates of infection and clotting
- Freedom from tunnelled dialysis catheters
- Improved dialysis adequacy and quality of life
- Better long-term survival on dialysis
Why choose Dr. Pritee Sharma
- Personal duplex vein mapping by Dr. Sharma
- Loupe-magnified precision anastomosis
- Coordinated with nephrology for optimal timing
- Salvage procedures for failing fistulas under one roof
Frequently asked questions
Ideally 3–6 months before dialysis is expected — usually when eGFR falls below 20 ml/min. Early referral avoids tunnelled catheters.
It is done under local anaesthesia or a regional arm block and is essentially pain-free. Patients go home in a few hours.
A well-created radiocephalic fistula can last 10+ years. Regular monitoring and timely fistuloplasty prolong lifespan significantly.
Yes — in most cases, fistuloplasty or surgical revision can restore function, avoiding a new access site.
What to expect during recovery
- Day-care surgery under regional block or local anaesthesia
- Discharge in 4–6 hours, dressing at 48 hours
- First cannulation only after 6–8 weeks of maturation
- Daily fistula exercises (hand-ball squeezing)
- Duplex maturation check at 6 weeks
Why this matters in Hyderabad
- Hyderabad's IT, BPO and corporate workforce spend 9–12 hours seated daily — a leading driver of varicose veins, DVT and venous reflux in patients under 45.
- High prevalence of diabetes across Telangana (over 14% of urban adults) makes diabetic foot disease and PAD some of the most common limb-threatening conditions seen at Renova Century Hospital.
- Hot, humid summers and prolonged standing in retail, teaching and healthcare further increase the burden of chronic venous insufficiency in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
- Patients travel to Banjara Hills for vascular care from across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra — Dr. Sharma's team coordinates out-station travel, imaging review and cashless insurance.
Dr. Pritee Sharma — Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon
21+ years of dedicated vascular and endovascular surgical experience.
- MBBS — Topiwala National Medical College, Mumbai
- MS (General Surgery)
- DNB Peripheral Vascular Surgery — Gold Medalist (awarded by the Hon'ble Ex Vice President of India)
- Fellowship in Endovascular Surgery
- Head of Department, Vascular & Endovascular Surgery — Renova Century Hospital, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
- Former Consultant — Army Hospital Research & Referral, Delhi
- Member — Vascular Society of India (VSI)
- Member — Indian Association of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeons
Concerned about av fistula for dialysis?
Get a personalised assessment and treatment plan from Dr. Pritee Sharma.