A Long term study for upper limb arterio-venous fistula creation for hemodialysis at a tertiary level hospital in

stage renal disease requiring long term vascular access for haemodialysis, were included in the study. In most of the patients radio-cephalic fistulae were created in the left forearm, in some on right forearm, just above the wrist joint, and in some patients brachiocephalic or brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistulae were created. Results: 375 patients were studied; 292 (77.86%) males and 83(22.14%) females, with male to female ratio of 3.52:1. Distribution of co-morbid factors showed diabetes in 225 (60.0%), hypertension in 150 (40%) patients. Radio-cephalic fistula was done in 295 patients and brachiocephalic fistula in 80 patients. In 5% dominant hand was used and for remaining 95% of the patients fistula was created on non-dominant hand. Arterio-venous fistula was successful at 6 weeks in 95%, at 2 years in 90% and at 5 years in 85% patients. In 5% cases, failure in first 6 weeks was because of primary failure or wound infections and at 2-5 years failure due to stenosis of cephalic vein by repeated punctures and thrombosis. In failed patients re-do procedure was carried out successfully at another (cubital) site. Conclusion: Radio-cephalic arteriovenous fistula in patients with end stage renal disease requiring long term vascular access for haemodialysis remains the procedure of choice if done by experienced hands.