The best approach is to undergo dialysis access surgery well before dialysis therapy needs to begin, which will give the access site time to mature and avoid the use of temporary catheters.
Starting early will also allow time for possible failures and creation of an alternative access. Ideally a dialysis access should be created 6 months to a year before the anticipated access.
This does not apply for a graft as it can be readily available much sooner (1 day for immediate access grafts, 2-6 weeks for standard grafts).
In case you start dialysis earlier than anticipated and before you have a mature fistula, you may need a temporary catheter while you are waiting for your permanent access.