Arteriovenous fistula cannulation for dialysis treatments in Europe has traditionally been done by metal needles. In -Japan, plastic cannulas have been available for many years and are used in the majority of the dialysis patients. The mechanical structure and the cannulation procedure of the plastic cannulas differ from those of the metal needles. These differences are particularly beneficial for patients with delicate fistulas, tortuous vessels, metal allergies, oligophrenic patients, and also for the safety of the medical staff. In this paper, we present the main features of a novel fistula plastic cannula and the innovations introduced by it compared to the traditional metal needles.

1.
McCann M, Einarsdóttir H, Van Waeleghem JP, Murphy F, Sedgewick J: Vascular access management 1: an overview. J Ren Care 2008; 34: 77–84.
2.
III. K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines for vascular access: update 2000. Am J Kidney Dis 2001; 37(1 suppl 1):S137–S181.
3.
Gibson KD, Gillen DL, Caps MT, et al: Vascular access survival and incidence of revisions: a comparison of prosthetic grafts, simple autogenous fistulas, and venous transposition fistulas from the United States Renal Data System Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study. J Vasc Surg 2001; 34: 694–700.
4.
Hsiao JF, Chou HH, Hsu LA, et al: Vascular changes at the puncture segments of arteriovenous fistula for hemodialysis access. J Vasc Surg. 2010; 52: 669–673.
5.
Lee T, Barker J, Allon M: Needle infiltration of arteriovenous fistulae in hemodialysis: risk factors and consequences. Am J Kidney Dis 2006; 47: 1020–1026.
6.
Grainer F: Plastic (non-metal) fistula cannula: from concept to practice. Ren Soc Australas J 2014; 10: 44–46.
7.
Du Toit D: Haemodialysis needles: why do we use metal fistula needles? Ren Soc Australas J 2013; 9: 138–140.
8.
Parisotto MT, Pelliccia F, Bedenbender-Stoll E, Gallieni M: Haemodialysis plastic cannulae – a possible alternative to traditional metal needles? J Vasc Access 2016; 17: 373–379.
9.
Week R: Renal Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting, 2014.
10.
Chapdelaine I, de Roij van Zuijdewijn CL, Mostovaya IM, et al; EUDIAL Group: Optimization of the convection volume in online post-dilution haemodiafiltration: practical and technical issues. Clin Kidney J 2015; 8: 191–198.
11.
Smith V, Schoch M: Plastic cannula use in hemodialysis access. J Vasc Access 2016; 17: 405–410.
12.
Brouwer DJ: Cannulation camp: basic needle cannulation training for dialysis staff. Dial Transplant 2011; 40: 434–439.
13.
Van Loon M: How to improve vascular access care; in Widmer NK, Malik J (eds): Patient Safety in Dialysis Access. Contrib Nephrol. Basel, Karger, 2015, vol 184, pp 222–233.
14.
National Kidney Foundation: Needles and Cannulas For Arteriovenous Fistula Access, 2016.
15.
Smith V, Schoch M; Plastic cannula use in hemodialysis access. J Vasc Access 2016; 17: 405–410.
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.