Procedures & Services:
Port Placement
A port or long term venous access catheter is placed by a surgeon at University Surgeons Associates for chemotherapy, intravenous alimentation or antibiotic therapy. This allows access to a large central vein with less trauma and discomfort to the patient. It also decreases the amount of irritation and damage to the veins from the medications. A port is placed beneath the skin surface, which decreases the risk for infection. Access is by sticking the port through the skin with a special needle.
A port is a small, round disc made of plastic or metal that is placed under your skin. A catheter connects the port to a large vein, most often in your chest. Your nurse can insert a needle into your port to give you chemotherapy or draw blood. This needle can be left in place for chemotherapy treatments that are given for more than 1 day. Be sure to watch for signs of infection around your port.
what to do before surgery?
- Preoperative preparation includes blood work, medical evaluation, chest x-ray and an EKG depending on your age and medical condition.
- After your surgeon reviews with you the potential risks and benefits of the operation, you will need to provide written consent for surgery.
- Blood transfusion and/or blood products may rarely be needed depending on your condition.
- It is recommended that you shower with an antibacterial soap the night before or morning of the operation.
- After midnight the night before the operation, you should not eat or drink anything except medications that your surgeon and/or anesthesiologist has told you to take with a sip of water the morning of surgery.
- Drugs such as aspirin, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications (arthritis medications) and large doses of Vitamin E will need to be stopped temporarily for several days to a week prior to surgery.
- Diet medication or St. John’s Wort should not be used for the two weeks prior to surgery.
- Quit smoking and arrange for any help you may need at home.
How is a port placement performed?
You will most likely be asked to check into the hospital the morning of your surgery.
- A port placement is performed under a local or a general anesthesia. It usually takes less than one hour.
- A small incision is made at the planned site for the port and a pocket for the port is made.
- The vein is accessed and the port tubing is threaded into position and checked with fluoroscopy.
- After the surgeon places and secures the port within the pocket, the small incision is closed.
what should i expect after surgery?
Our goal is for your surgery and recovery to be as comfortable and convenient as possible. After a port placement, you may experience temporary pain and swelling at the port site.
- Most Patients are able to engage in light activity while at home after surgery. Patients shower the day after the operation.
- Post-operative pain is generally mild and patients may require a pain pill or pain medication.
- Most patients can resume normal activities within a day or two, including driving, walking up stairs, light lifting, and work.
- You should call and schedule a follow-up appointment within 2 weeks after your operation.
what complications can occur?
Port placement is generally considered extremely safe. As with any operation, there is a risk of a complication. Complications during the operation may include:
- Bleeding or hematoma
- Rarely infection of the wound
- Skin wound separation
- Pneumothorax (air around the lung)
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
when to call your doctor
Be sure to call your physician or surgeon if you develop any of the following symptoms after surgery:
- Persistent fever over 101 degrees F (39 C)
- Chills
- Bleeding
- Pain that is not relieved by your medications
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- You are unable to eat or drink liquids
- Persistent cough or shortness of breath
- Purulent drainage (pus) from the incision
- Redness surrounding the incision that is worsening or getting bigger