Gangrene of the Hand Following a Haemodialysis Access: Lessons to be Learnt

Abstract

Renal replacement therapy is a “way of life” for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and haemodialysis forms their “lifeline”. Haemodialysis access, via a small surgery, to anastomose an artery and a vein in the arm or forearm, is the universally accepted standard of care. However, even this minor surgical intervention can lead to devastating complications without adequate pre-operative evaluation and apt intra-operative decision making. The following article pictorically exemplifies the most dreaded complication of a gangrenous hand as well as highlights the lessons to be learnt, in order to avoid this infirmity.