AbstractThe outcome of 68 arteriovenous grafts placed in 46 patients requiring haemodialysis was studied over a period of 3.5 years. The biological grafts included autogenous saphenous vein, modified bovine carotid artery and human umbilical cord vein allograft, whereas the synthetic grafts comprised Sparks Dacron mandril, expanded reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene and knitted Dacron velour. These subcutaneous grafts were arranged as looped or straight configurations in the forearm or thigh. Of 59 grafts evaluated in patients with end‐stage renal failure, only 48 per cent of the forearm grafts performed well, compared with 85 per cent of the thigh grafts. Although only 38 per cent of the looped grafts were successful, 78 per cent of the straight grafts functioned satisfactorily. Synthetic grafts suffered less serious complications than the commercial biological graft