We thank doctors Zhou Feng, Ma Tiantian, and Zhu Dongming at our hospital for providing the assistance with ultrasound examination.

The MNTT was conducted according to the human research protocol approved by the ethics committee of the Affiliated Suzhou Science &#38; Technology Town Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (IRB2021029).
1. Preoperative evaluation
<ol>
	<li>Check the medical history: Ensure that the patients have no coagulation abnormalities, valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, skin disease, history of central venous catheterization, history of pac...

<ol>
	<li>Trerotola, S. O. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=KDOQI+clinical+practice+guideline+for+vascular+access+2019+update:+Kinder,+Gentler,+and+More+Important+Than+Ever.">KDOQI clinical practice guideline for vascular access 2019 update: Kinder, Gentler, and More Important Than Ever.</a> Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. 31 (7), 1156-1157 (2020).</li><li>Schmidli, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Editor's+Choice+-+vascular+access:+2018+clinical+practice+guidelines+of+the+European+Society+for+Vascular+Surgery+(ESVS).">Editor's Choice - vascular access: 2018 clinical practice guidelines of the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS).</a> European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. 55 (6), 757-818 (2018).</li><li>Abreo, K., Buffington, M., Sachdeva, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Angioplasty+to+promote+arteriovenous+fistula+maturation+and+maintenance.">Angioplasty to promote arteriovenous fistula maturation and maintenance.</a> Journal of Vascular Access. 19 (4), 337-340 (2018).</li><li>Souza, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+no-touch+preparation+technique:+Technical+notes.">A new no-touch preparation technique: Technical notes.</a> Scandinavian Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 30 (1), 41-44 (1996).</li><li>Souza, D. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High+early+patency+of+saphenous+vein+graft+for+coronary+artery+bypass+harvested+with+surrounding+tissue.">High early patency of saphenous vein graft for coronary artery bypass harvested with surrounding tissue.</a> Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 71 (3), 797-800 (2001).</li><li>Souza, D. S., Gomes, W. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+future+of+saphenous+vein+graft+for+coronary+artery.">The future of saphenous vein graft for coronary artery.</a> Revista Brasileira de Cirurgia Cardiovascular. 23 (3), (2008).</li><li>Souza, D. S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Harvesting+the+saphenous+vein+with+surrounding+tissue+for+CABG+provides+long-term+graft+patency+comparable+to+the+left+internal+thoracic+artery:+results+of+a+randomized+longitudinal+trial.">Harvesting the saphenous vein with surrounding tissue for CABG provides long-term graft patency comparable to the left internal thoracic artery: results of a randomized longitudinal trial.</a> Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 132 (2), 373-378 (2006).</li><li>H&#246;rer, T. M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=No-touch+technique+for+radiocephalic+arteriovenous+fistula:+surgical+technique+and+preliminary+results.">No-touch technique for radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula: surgical technique and preliminary results.</a> Journal of Vascular Access. 17 (1), 6-12 (2016).</li><li>Sadaghianloo, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Radial+artery+deviation+and+reimplantation+inhibits+venous+juxta-anastomotic+stenosis+and+increases+primary+patency+of+radial-cephalic+fistulas+for+hemodialysis.">Radial artery deviation and reimplantation inhibits venous juxta-anastomotic stenosis and increases primary patency of radial-cephalic fistulas for hemodialysis.</a> Journal of Vascular Surgery. 64 (3), 698-706 (2016).</li><li>Xiaohe, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+modified+no-touch+technique+for+anastomosis+to+create+a+radiocephalic+arteriovenous+fistula.">A modified no-touch technique for anastomosis to create a radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula.</a> Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases, Innovations and Techniques. 7 (4), 686-690 (2021).</li><li>Lok, C. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=KDOQI+Clinical+Practice+Guideline+for+Vascular+Access:+2019+Update.">KDOQI Clinical Practice Guideline for Vascular Access: 2019 Update.</a> American Journal of Kidney Diseases. 75 (4), 1 (2020).</li><li>Xiaohe, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Clinical+report+of+4+cases+of+autogenous+forearm+arteriovenous+fistula+constructed+by+modified+no-touch+technique.">Clinical report of 4 cases of autogenous forearm arteriovenous fistula constructed by modified no-touch technique.</a> Chinese Journal of Blood Purification. 10 (20), 693-695 (2021).</li><li>Allon, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Association+of+preexisting+arterial+intimal+hyperplasia+with+arteriovenous+fistula+outcomes.">Association of preexisting arterial intimal hyperplasia with arteriovenous fistula outcomes.</a> Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 13 (9), 1358-1363 (2018).</li><li>Allon, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vascular+calcification,+intimal+hyperplasia,+and+arteriovenous+fistula+maturation.">Vascular calcification, intimal hyperplasia, and arteriovenous fistula maturation.</a> American Journal of Kidney Diseases. 58 (3), 437-443 (2011).</li><li>Vazquez-Padron, R. I., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=intimal+hyperplasia+and+arteriovenous+fistula+failure:+looking+beyond+size+differences.">intimal hyperplasia and arteriovenous fistula failure: looking beyond size differences.</a> Kidney360. 2 (8), 1360-1372 (2021).</li><li>Shenoy, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Surgical+technique+determines+the+outcome+of+the+Brescia/Cimino+AVF.">Surgical technique determines the outcome of the Brescia/Cimino AVF.</a> Journal of Vascular Access. 18, 1-4 (2017).</li><li>Bai, H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Artery+to+vein+configuration+of+arteriovenous+fistula+improves+hemodynamics+to+increase+maturation+and+patency.">Artery to vein configuration of arteriovenous fistula improves hemodynamics to increase maturation and patency.</a> Science Translational Medicine. 12 (557), (2020).</li></ol>

Venous juxta-anastomotic stenosis is one of the main factors affecting the maturation of AVF5. It is known to be closely related to intimal hyperplasia13,14,15. However, prevention strategies for intimal hyperplasia are still limited. Modified surgical procedures16 such as RADAR have been shown to have less venous juxta-anastomotic stenosis, increased maturation and patency, and fe...

Radio-cephalic autologous arteriovenous fistula (RC-AVF) have been regarded as the primary and best choice for vascular access in hemodialysis patients1,2. However, the early failure to mature continues to be a major problem with RC-AVF creation3. Different surgical methods have different degrees of vascular injury and affect the maturation of RC-AVF. In 1996, Souza4 first proposed the use of a no-touch technique (NTT) to separate the great saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass grafting and achieved good results5,6,7. Horer et al.8 was the first to use NTT to construct RC-AVF. At the 1-year follow-up, primary patency was 54% and secondary patency was 80%. Sadaghianloo et al.9 further extended the concept of no-touch technology and proposed the radial artery deviation and reimplantation (RADAR) technique. This technique is associated with less juxta-anastomotic stenosis. However, the inflow artery stenosis was more prominent with RADAR. We speculate that this may be related to the severance of the radial artery and skeletonization of the distal tip of the artery.
To further reduce the injury to veins and arteries during the operation, we proposed a new modified no-touch technique (MNTT), which significantly improved the patency rate and the fistula maturation10. The aim of this technique was to primarily avoid both devascularization of the venous and arterial wall and severing of the radial artery. After the skin and subcutaneous tissue were incised, the cephalic vein and its surrounding adipose tissue were seen below the superficial fascia. An 8-10-mm-long incision was made in the superficial fascia and cephalic vein wall, and the radial artery pedicle (including the radial artery and its accompanying veins) was isolated 40-50 mm. The artery pedicle was not severed, and the radial artery pedicle was raised to approach the cephalic vein. An 8-10-mm-long incision was made in the artery. The anastomosis was performed side-to-side and the distal vein was ligated to form a functional end-to-side anastomosis (Figure 1).
We evaluated blood vessels by Doppler ultrasound before the surgeries of 10 cases: there was no stenosis in the radial artery and cephalic vein with radial artery diameter&#8805;1.6 mm and cephalic vein diameter&#8805;2 mm. Echocardiography showed left ventricular score &#62;60%, and the patient had no surgical contraindications. A distance of &#60;2 cm between the artery and vein was identified as the proposed anastomosis site.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/62784/62784fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of anastomosis types in AVFs12. a: Conventional surgery for an AVF. b: AVF created using the NTT. c: AVF created using the MNTT and a functional end-to-side anastomosis. AVF: arteriovenous fistula; NTT: no-touch technique. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/62784/62784fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Curved hemostatic forceps</td>
			<td>Xinhua Surgical Instrument Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>ZH131R/RN</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissecting Forceps</td>
			<td>Xinhua Surgical Instrument Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>ZDO25R/RN</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Electrotome</td>
			<td>Changzhou Yanling Electronic Equipment Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>TY21205812</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Eyelld Retractor</td>
			<td>Xinhua Surgical Instrument Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>Z014602T</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lidocaine</td>
			<td>Hebei Tiancheng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>1B200612104</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Halsey needleholder</td>
			<td>Xinhua Surgical Instrument Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>ZM208R/RN</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro forceops</td>
			<td>Xinhua Surgical Instrument Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>ZD275RN/T</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro needle holder forceps</td>
			<td>Xinhua Surgical Instrument Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>ZF2618RB/T</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro scissors</td>
			<td>Xinhua Surgical Instrument Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>ZF022T</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro vessel knife</td>
			<td>Xinhua Surgical Instrument Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>ZF1549RN</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Non-absorbable suture 3-0</td>
			<td>Ethicon,LLC</td>
			<td>SA84G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Poly propylene 7-0</td>
			<td>Ethicon,LLC</td>
			<td>PDB601</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sharp blade</td>
			<td>Suzhou Medical Products Factory Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>TY21232001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>scalpel handle</td>
			<td>Shanghai Medical Instrument (Group) Co., Ltd. Surgical Instruments Factory</td>
			<td>J11030</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Syringe with needle (5ml)</td>
			<td>BD medical devices (Shanghai) Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>2006116</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Triangle needle</td>
			<td>Hangzhou Huawei medical supplies Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>7X17</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vessel clamp</td>
			<td>Xinhua Surgical Instrument Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>ZF220RN</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vessel loop</td>
			<td>Shenzhen Yiman Technology Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>EM-SR1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

creating radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula in the forearm with a modified no-touch technique

Autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the primary and best option to obtain vascular access for hemodialysis treatment; other options are arteriovenous graft (AVG) and central venous catheterization (CVC). The implementation of radio-cephalic autologous arteriovenous fistula (RC-AVF) in the forearm was preferred among patients with superior vascular conditions. However, there is a high rate of early fistula failure. The chosen surgical method is understood to have an effect on the maturation of the fistula. New surgical procedures such as radial artery deviation and reimplantation (RADAR) have been significantly improved for juxta-anastomotic stenosis. Nevertheless, new problems such as stenosis of arteries and narrowing of surgical indication were also found. In this report, we presented a modified no-touch technique (MNTT) to create an RC-AVF, in which the venous and arterial wall avoid devascularization and the radial artery does not sever.

Since January 2021, we have applied the MNTT technique in 10 patients to construct AVF. Seven of the 10 patients have been under dialysis.
None of the patients had fever or infection after surgery. Physical examination of the cephalic-vein at weeks 4 and 8 showed significant dilation. Fistula can be palpable tremor with loud murmur. Doppler ultrasonography showed obvious dilation of the cephalic vein and radial artery. The blood flow spectrum of the cephalic vein 1.5 cm away from the anastomos...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Creating Radio-cephalic Arteriovenous Fistula in the Forearm with a Modified No-Touch Technique at JoVE.com

Creating Radio-cephalic Arteriovenous Fistula in the Forearm with a Modified No-Touch Technique

We present a modified no-touch technique (MNTT) to create a radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula (RC-AVF) in which the venous and arterial wall avoid devascularization and the radial artery does not sever.

Autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the primary and best option to obtain vascular access for hemodialysis treatment; other options are ...

Creating radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula in the forearm with a modified no-touch technique. A four centimeter skin incision was created where the radical artery was close to the cephalic vein in the forearm. After the superficial fascia is exposed, the cephalic vein under the suprafascial could be seen.A layer by layer incision was made at the position where radical artery pulse is touched. The arterial sheath was exposed. The vascular clamp was used to block the blood flow.A vein-to-artery anastomosis side-to-side was created with a 7.0 nonabsorbable monofilament continuous suture. Finally, the distal cephalic vein was ligated to form a functional end-to-side anastomosis. In the video, we presented a modified no-touch technique in which we preserve the perivenous vascular tissue intact.During the procedure, the fat and the connective tissue around the veins were preserved in their integrity and the injury to the cephalic vein was avoided completely. From January 2021, we enrolled 10 consecutive patients to construct AVF by modifying the no-touch technique. The eight to 20 week follow-up has now been completed.Check the medical history. Perform physical examination results. Ensure symmetrical blood pressure in both upper limbs, good arterial pulse, strong pulsation, negative Allen test, continuous cephalic veins in the forearm and upper arm, good venous distensibility after binding the tourniquet, no edema or varicose veins in the upper limb, and no previous central or peripheral venous scars.Perform comprehensive assessment of the forearm vasculature of the patient's operative limb by color Doppler ultrasound. Place the patient in a supine position with external rotation and abduction of the operative upper limb before routine item for disinfection draping and local infiltration anesthesia with 1%lidocaine. Make a four centimeter skin incision longitudinal incision at a distance of less than two centimeter between the radical artery and the cephalic vein of the forearm.The subcutaneous adipose tissue was separated using curved hemostatic forceps to expose the superficial fascia. The cephalic vein and its surrounding tissues below the superficial fascia could be seen. The superficial fascia should not be open in this step, and the electric knife should not be used to stop bleeding.Make two tunnels along the direction perpendicular to the cephalic vein. And the tunnel openings should be located more than one centimeter from both sides of the cephalic vein. Cut the tissue layer by layer, to expose the radical artery pedicle including the radical artery and it's accompanying veins on both sides in the positing area of the radical artery that can be reached with the index finger.Ligate the small artery branches and pick out the radical artery pedicle with the hemostatic forceps the radical artery pedicle was dissected for about 40 to 50 millimeter. Pass the two red vessel loops through each end of the radical artery pedicle. The radical artery could be pulled to be closer to the cephalic vein to facilitate the surgical suture.Place a vascular clamp at each end of the pedicle to block arterial blood flow. Although vascular clamps were used to block blood flow the intact tissue is preserved around the cephalic vein which plays a better protective role for the vessels. Lift the superficial fascia at the cephalic vein gently with mic pro forceps and cut the superficial fascia and the wall of the cephalic vein with a micro scissor or sharp knife.The incision length should be about eight to 10 millimeter open the arterial sheath and the wall of the radical artery successively to make an eight to 10 millimeter long incision with a sharp knife and a microscopic scissor, taking care not to twist the vessel. Using the 7.0 non-absorbable single strength suture to establish vein arterial anastomosis side-to-side with the coolings technique suture the posterior wall of the vessel first and then suture a anterior wall of the vessel. The vessels should be pulled close to each other to reduce vascular tension.Open the blood flow and like it a distal cephalic vein to form a functional Endocyte anastomosis and use a mattress suture for surgical incision. Physical examination of the cephalic vein at weeks four and eight showed significant dilation, fistula can be palpable tremor with loud murmur. Doppler ultrasonography showed up the acetylation of the cephalic vein and radical artery.The blood flow spectrum of the cephalic vein 1.5 centimeters away from the anastomosis show spar laminar flow. This table showed that the blood flow of the cephalic vein at five centimeters from anastomosis was more than 500 millimeters per minute. And that of the brachial artery was more than 600 millimeter per minute.Four hours of hemodialysis was successfully completed. None of the patients had any current vascular access related complications. The modified no-touch technique and functional end-to-side anastomosis for RC-AVF construction were feasible, and the short-term results were encouraging but a large number patients is needed to thoroughly evaluate this technique.

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Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

7.0K Görüntüleme.  Nanjing Medical University. Modifiye dokunmama tekniği ile atamda radyo-sefalik arteriovenöz fistül oluşturulması. Radikal arterin ön koltuktaki sefalik damara yakın olduğu yerde dört santimetrelik bir deri kesisi oluşturuldu. Yüzeysel fasya açığa çıktıktan sonra, suprafascial altındaki sefalik damar görülebilir.Radikal arter nabzına dokunulan pozisyonda katman katman kesi yapıldı. Atardamar kılıbu açığa çıktı. Damar kelepçesi kan akışını engellemek için kullanıldı.7....