I guess its the big thing everywhere but the US. You use the exact same sites on your fistula (fistula only) for 10 sticks. By then, you have a tunnel developed. After the tunnel is developed, you just pick the scab off the sites from the previous stick and the PATIENT (they are wanting the patient to stick themselves) slides the needles in the tunnel and into the fistula. They use what is called a blunt needle, but they did not look too blunt to me, thats for sure.
I honestly don't understand this type of cannulation because in the past we have always been told not to stick in the same spot as it wears the fistula out. But now they want the patient to stick themselves in the same spot over and over.
Does anyone have any experience in this type of cannulation that can share experiences with us?
oooh that is EXACTLY what I want to learn to do!!
The reason?
I have heard that as time goes by they learn more and more about what works! I have seen a guy sit beside me till he switched shifts. He was doing the buttonhole technique. I watched as he picked off his scabs with tweezers. I asked him if he was doing the buttonhole technique and he said he was. He said it would be good for me to do it since I already have so much scar tissue in my arms as it is (from blood work since I was 9 years old .. and repeatedly throughout the years - I am 32 now). He said he wishes he would have done it right from the beginning of his hemo days.