Abstract
In two patients in whom conventional vascular access for maintenance hemodialysis was not possible, access in the form of a great saphenous vein-popliteal artery bypass was achieved under local infiltration anesthesia. A straight saphenous vein placed subcutaneously in the thigh has been used with the advantage that the proximal end of the saphenous vein is left in situ and only the distal end requires end to side anastomosis to the proximal popliteal artery. A follow up of 18 to 19 months and experience with more than 460 courses of hemodialysis treatment have shown it to be a suitable and satisfactory access.
