Hello Stuart -
First of all, I just want to say how incredibly appreciative my husband and I are for your guidance on re-cannulating his rested fistula for the first time after a major infiltration. You helped make the whole process so easy and the touch cannulation technique…WOW!
I have been trying to research on google about different buttonhole needles and am having a hard time finding useful information. Could you perhaps discuss the different types of buttonhole needles that there are available? The ones I have found so far are medisystems, JMS, and Nipro. Are there other brands that I am missing?
Can you discuss the distinguishing characteristics of each type? Not asking for a recommendation, just what sizes and types of bevels or buckeyes are available and if there are features to notice about them?
Also, I think you mentioned that 3/5 are not available in buttonhole needles, only in sharps? If so, what would the pros and cons be comparing between cannulating with 3/5 sharps using rope ladder, and cannulating with 1 inch buttonhole needles? If you had to choose, is buttonhole technique with 1 inch buttonhole needles preferable to rope ladder with 3/5 sharps?
I can’t tell you how important the information that you have shared on this site is for home dialysis patients! Even after 9 years of home hemo, I have learned so much in the past week just exploring this site and your various videos and posts. I wish I had found this site YEARS ago. My husband’s and my immense appreciation to those who manage and provide this support for home patients. It is a true blessing.
Martha