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Nature Reviews Nephrology 3, 648–649 (1 December 2007) | doi:10.1038/ncpneph0641

Utility of the buttonhole cannulation method for hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistulas

Zbylut J Twardowski

Verhallen AM et al. (2007) Cannulating in hemodialysis: rope-ladder or buttonhole technique? Nephrol Dial Transplant 22: 2601–2604 Synopsis Background Arteriovenous fistulas are commonly cannulated using the rope-ladder technique, which can be difficult to use if the fistula is short, or if the patient finds cannulation stressful. The buttonhole approach, whereby the cannula is inserted at the same place each time, might overcome these problems.