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TATTOO OF VASCULAR CANNULATION SITE AS A SELF‐CANNULATION AID
Author(s) -
Lagaac Regin,
Meruz Rowena,
Goh Mingzheng Aaron
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of renal care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.381
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1755-6686
pISSN - 1755-6678
DOI - 10.1111/jorc.12126
Subject(s) - medicine , fistula , surgery , dialysis , intervention (counseling) , quality of life (healthcare) , general surgery , nursing
SUMMARY Background Haemodialysis can be provided either in a healthcare setting or home environment. Patients receiving dialysis at home report a better quality of life. Patients or their carers must be able to cannulate their fistula confidently and independently when dialysing at home. Method We describe a patient with a functional fistula which was difficult to palpate, leading to difficulties in cannulation and multiple referrals to the home therapies team. Procedure A series of discrete dots were tattooed to delineate the borders of the fistula and served to guide cannulation. Results Following this simple intervention, our patient was able to self‐cannulate confidently, dialysing at home four times per week. There were no further referrals to the home therapies team. Conclusion Permanent tattoo of the skin to guide cannulation can used when a fistula is difficult to palpate or if a further superficialisation procedure is not desired. Patients have to be made aware that the markings are permanent and might outlast the fistula.