fistula depth and location..

[tyefly]

      I have a question about using a fistula for the first time.....   I know I keep asking question.... but I could not find too much information on here that answered my question.......

         Was there something that the surgeon was suppose to give me so that others would know  and me too  where my fistula runs....  where it starts  or where it can be used.... and how deep certain area are....  how will someone know how deep it is... and which was the vein goes.....   is there mapping or ultra sound or something that should be done before we use it.....   
    They did all this mapping before the surgery    should we know more or have a picture ....or something...

    Am I thinking to hard here.....

[YLGuy]

They seem to access the fistula by touch.

[silverhead]

The Tech who did Sharon's ultrasound of the Fistula used a magic marker to outline the Arterial and Venous points closest to the skin so the Dialysis techs could find them easier.....

[justatech]

Our surgeons here do the same thing usually with the sharpie. The mark where it is, what direction it flows and sometimes how deep it is. They also fax a diagram showing the same thing. It helps, especially with those that are real deep or still small. We call them baby fistulas.

[monrein]

I've always just gone by touch, palpating the fistula and gauging the depth.  That's also why I never used freezing (neither needle nor cream) because the sensations also helped me guide the needles into position.