Chest port is a life saver for patients who require repeated IV (Intra Venous) access for providing medication and drawing blood samples. If you are advised to get a port, it is probably to eliminate the need to be poked repeatedly in order to find a good vein. It’s an excellent device for cancer patients requiring long term chemotherapy and other patients who may need iv nutrition and fluids due to poor oral intake.
A port device has two components, a chamber that is placed under the skin usually over the upper chest and a catheter (tiny plastic tubing) that on one end is attached to the chamber and its other end is placed into a vein to provide access delivering medications and or drawing blood. Occasionally under special circumstances a port can be placed in the arm, back, or legs but the chest is the most preferred site.
The best options for port placement are those using image-guidance such as Xrays and ultrasound. This allows the physician to more accurately place the port. They can be safely placed in an out-patient setting, the actual procedure time is less than 15minutes followed by an hour of recovery time. The entire procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
During the procedure to insert a chest port, two incisions are made. A smaller incision just above the collar bone, followed by a slightly larger incision just a couple of inches below on the upper chest above the breast. This incision will be used to create a reservoir pocket where the port is placed. The incisions are then closed using glue and barely leave a noticeable scar.
The insertion site will need to be kept dry for about five to seven days, in order to prevent any possible infection. A follow-up appointment will assure that the site is healing properly. In about a week’s time you can assume all of your normal activities.
When you need medications and or blood draw your nurse will then use a specialized needle to access the port through the overlying skin. Once the medication has been delivered the needle is removed and the port stays covered underneath the skin.
Once under use the port is flushed monthly to prevent clotting, and your physician will arrange the necessary appointments.
Through any type of port placement, patients no longer have to worry about being poked by needles repeatedly for their medical treatments. This will allow them to lead a more normal life, without worrying about the pain and bruising that comes with repeated injections and IV placements. Unlike PICC line or other catheters that stick out of the body a port stays completely covered underneath the skin when not in use. Compared to other options chest ports lasts longer and the risk of infection is much smaller. It’s barely visible and causes no restriction in ones activities be it swimming or golfing!