Since January 1973 we have performed 47 arteriovenous shunts and 22 arteriovenous fistulas for 57 patients with acute or chronic renal failure. Of these 57 cases, 50 cases had chronic renal failure and the other 7 cases had acute renal failure. The most frequent complications after operations were thrombosis, bleeding and infection. Less frequently dislodgement of shunt and aneurysmal change of the fistula were found. After 47 arteriovenous shunts, 21 those complications [44%] were found. On the other hand after 22 arteriovenous fistulas, 5 complications were found. Now we are using the arteriovenous shunt only for the patients who need emergency short term hemodialysis and temporary dialysis until arteriovenous fistula could be used.[KTCS 1978;2:227-231]