Fistula Plumbers

[Simon Dog]

Is it typical for transplant surgeons to do fistula work?   I had my work done by a vascular surgeon at a community hospital that does not do transplants, but I have recently learned that both of the transplant surgeons at the center I am listed at do the fisutula surgeries.   Is this typical?   I was thinking they might need the work because of a shortage of organs.

[PrimeTimer]

My mother's cardiologist was also a heart transplant specialist and he also performed studies and taught at a med school. I would think specialists would have a lot of experience under their belt and able to perform a variety of procedures and keep themselves updated. My husband's neph can perform vascular access surgery but she sends him to another surgeon whenever he needs plumbing. In a way, when I think of how some fistula's are created, it is sort of like a transplant in the way of moving and reconnecting arteries and veins. Hope someone who can really answer your question comes along.

[Vt Big Rig]

My fistula was done by a vascular surgeon. Amazingly he knows very little about dialysis.

And I was at Intervention radiology several times for "plumbing work" and in most cases the nurses and staff where amazed we did hemo dialysis at home.

Because of an access problem I went to an emergency room once in Vermont to have labs taken. I had them tell me there they had never heard of home hemo.

[Simon Dog]

I got the impression the xplant surgeons do fistula work, but they would send me to interventional radiology if I needed a f-gram.   The original vascular surgeon did his own f-grams.   My guess is that the vascular surgeons at my xplant center don't get much business on fistulas if the xplant surgeons are getting the work.

The vascular cutter I used was great, but he had some "interesting" opinions.    "Buttonholes bad, sharps, good" and "Home dialysis bad idea, better off with the professionals".

I share your experiences regarding awareness of home hemo.   I usually get looked at like a three eyed fish when I mention that to other docs or ER people, and they get this puzzled look when I tell them "I'm on the do it yourself plan" when they ask who punctures me.  I also met an MD who was completely unaware of the immunization issues regarding transfusions and transplants.