Overview Renal Access Surgery
Renal Access for Dialysis
Dr Sherry Salter creates and maintains dialysis access for patients with kidney failure, working alongside their treating Nephrologist. Renal access surgery for dialysis includes the procedures of arteriovenous (AV) fistula formation, peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion and permcath insertion.
Dr Salter is a Renal Transplant Surgeon, who underwent sub-specialty training in Renal and Pancreas Transplantation Surgery at Westmead Hospital in Sydney and Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne. She performs renal access surgery, and renal and pancreas transplants at Monash Medical Centre.
Insertion of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter
A peritoneal dialysis catheter, or PD catheter, is a soft tube placed into the abdomen. It allows dialysis fluid to pass through the lining of the abdomen, so that dialysis can be done at home.
AV Fistula Formation
An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is a join made between an artery and a vein in the arm. Over the following weeks, the vein enlarges under higher pressure, becoming strong enough for the dialysis needles to be inserted into the vein.
Insertion of Permcath
A permcath is a soft tube placed into a large vein in the neck and tunnelled under the skin of the chest, where it comes out and can be connected to a dialysis machine. It is also called a tunnelled dialysis catheter.