Novel Bone-Anchored Vascular Access on the Mastoid for Hemodialysis: Concept and Preclinical Trials.

Goal: We present the development of a bone-anchored port for the painless long-term hemodialytic treatment of patients with renal failure. This port is implanted behind the ear.

Methods: The port was developed based on knowledge obtained from long-term experience with implantable hearing devices, which are firmly anchored to the bone behind the ear.

[A new bone anchored hemodialysis access].

When classic arteriovenous fistulas or grafts fail, dialysis patients have a vital requirement for a catheter to ensure vascular access. Permanent central venous catheters penetrate the cervical and thoracic soft tissues and the skin without rigid fixation. The infection rate for such devices is high, often requiring explantation.