Buttonhole cannulation--an unexpected outcome.

Abstract

The buttonhole method of needle insertion has been reported to be a safe and effective means of cannulation. In general, infections in patients with arteriovenous fistula access are considered to be infrequent compared to other types of accesses. Although minimal data exist regarding infection rates with buttonhole cannulation, these authors' data indicate that the infection rate with buttonhole cannulation may be underestimated.