For patients with an arteriovenous graft or arteriovenous fistula, access to the bloodstream is only made possible by needle puncture. This means 2 punctures for each dialysis session. In a best-case scenario where every puncture is successful, this amounts to an average of 6 punctures per week per patient.

While Nipro is committed to producing ultra sharp, siliconized needles that reduce penetration and gliding forces, needle punctures – and thus pain for the patient, however minimal – is inevitable.

 

Nipro, together with healthcare professionals at large, are equally committed to building upon existing technologies that reduce the negative experience for patients during cannulation.

Presenting, the buttonhole technique

During cannulation using the buttonhole technique, the needle puncture is always performed at the same place and angle, which results in the formation of a tunnel track – very similar to the track for an ear piercing.

The buttonhole technique has been shown to reduce pain associated with cannulation and to lower fistula complications.1 In the study of Vaux E et al, the number of patients that required access interventions due to complications was lower in the buttonhole (constant site cannulation) group (19%) compared with the usual practice (different site cannulation) group (39%).2

Four steps for successful buttonhole cannulation

Do you consider the buttonhole technique when cannulating the vascular access of your patient? Read further or contact a Nipro representative to find out more.
Footnotes
  1. Twardoswki, J Vasc Access, 2015

  2. Vaux E et al, Am J Kidney Dis., 2013