It is widely recognized that autogenous arteriovenous access is the preferred dialysis access of choice because of improved patency and low infection rate. It has been shown recently that preoperative ultrasound study to identify available venous conduits can increase the utilization of autogenous arteriovenous access. The article examines the clinical evidence to support this rationale and reviews the available portable ultrasound devices that enable surgeons to perform ultrasound examination in patients undergoing dialysis access operation.