Potato and warm moist compresses to accelerate healing of limb swelling and bruising after venous stent placement

Rationale: Hemodialysis is an essential renal replacement therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease, and an autologous arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is preferred because of its durability and low complication rate. Maintaining AVF patency is critical for effective dialysis. AVF stenosis may reduce blood flow, impair dialysis adequacy, and compromise vascular access function. Digital subtraction angiography-guided angioplasty and venous stent placement are commonly used to restore patency. Postoperative swelling, bruising, pain, and restricted limb movement may occur and delay recovery. This report describes the use of fresh potato slices combined with warm moist compresses after venous stent placement. Patient concerns: A man in his 70s with stage 5 chronic kidney disease had received maintenance hemodialysis through a right forearm AVF for 5 years. Persistently elevated venous pressure prompted imaging, which revealed AVF outflow vein stenosis. He underwent digital subtraction angiography-guided venous stent placement. Marked swelling, extensive bruising, pain, numbness, and reduced joint mobility subsequently developed in the right upper extremity. Diagnoses: AVF stenosis, stage 5 chronic kidney disease, maintenance hemodialysis, renal anemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Interventions: In addition to routine postoperative nursing care, fresh potato slices were applied along the affected vascular pathway for 2 hours, followed by a warm moist compress at 40°C to 45°C for 20 to 30 minutes. Treatment was administered 3 times daily. Outcomes: The pain score decreased from 6 to 3 after treatment and reached 0 by postoperative day 4. Swelling and bruising substantially subsided, and joint mobility approached normal. By postoperative day 6, bruising had further diminished, limb movement was normal, and the AVF could be punctured routinely. No infection, skin allergy, irritant erythema, or other intervention-related adverse events were observed. Lessons: Fresh potato slices combined with warm moist compresses were associated with improvement in postoperative swelling, bruising, pain, and limb mobility. The intervention was simple, inexpensive, and well tolerated. Because this was a single case and comprehensive nursing care was provided concurrently, its independent effect cannot be determined. Larger prospective controlled studies using standardized quantitative assessments are needed before routine clinical use.