Implantable Venous Port Placement/Removal
Please read this page so that we can be sure you understand the risks and complications potentially associated with this procedure. Please ask questions about anything that you do not understand.
What is an implantable venous port?
Will my child be awake during the procedure?
How long does the procedure take?
What are the potential risks and complications?
What can I expect after the procedure?
Are there any activity restrictions?
What is an implantable venous port?
A port is a special intravenous (IV) line that is completely inside the body. A port consists of two parts:
- Port: a round piece of metal with a soft silicone top (approximately the size of a quarter).
- Catheter: soft, thin, long tubing that is attached to the port.
What is a port used for?
Some medications cannot be given through regular IV lines and some medications require frequent, painful needle insertions. A port will provide a more comfortable and convenient way to receive medications, such as chemotherapy, IV nutrition and fluids, and from which to have blood samples taken. Your child will receive IV therapy by having a needle inserted through the skin into the port.
How is a port inserted?
Using ultrasound and x-ray guidance, the tip of the catheter will be inserted into a vein, usually in the neck, but possibly in the arm or groin. The tip of the catheter will be positioned in the large vein just above the heart. The other end of the catheter is tunneled under the skin where a small incision is made to create a space, called a pocket. The pocket is where the port sits under the skin. The pocket is usually in the chest, arm, thigh or lower abdomen. The incision in closed with stiches, glue or steristrips (small pieces of tape).
Will my child be awake during the procedure?
No. Port placements and port removals are performed with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.
How long does the procedure take?
Approximately 60-90 minutes
Will my child feel any pain?
Since your child will be receiving sedation or general anesthesia, he or she will not be able to hear or feel anything during the procedure. After the procedure, some children may feel mild discomfort in the neck or chest area for the several days.
What are the potential risks and complications?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Injury to veins and/or surrounding structures
- Air in the veins (air embolism)
- Abnormal heart beat (arrhythmia)
- Collapse of the lung (pneumothorax)
- Bleeding into the chest (hemothorax)
- Contrast reaction (if x-ray dye is used)
What can I expect after the procedure?
You will notice two bandages on your child, one over the insertion site and one over the port pocket site. These dressings are clean (sterile) and must stay in place for 48 hours. Under the dressing you will see white strips of tape (steri-strips). These steri-strips should not be removed; they will fall off on their own within 2 weeks.
The incision should be kept clean and dry and covered by a bandage for 5-7 days, or until well healed. Once the incisions have healed and the steri-strips have fallen off, there is no need to place any type of dressing or covering on the port when it is not being used because it is all secured under the skin.
Are there any activity restrictions?
After the port is inserted, your child will be able to resume most activities. This includes going to daycare or school, and playing some sports and games, such as bike riding or tennis. Contact sports that may result in trauma to the port area should be avoided as this may damage the port.
When there is no needle in place, swimming or water activity is allowed once the incisions have healed. When a needle is in place, your child should not go swimming or submerge in a bathtub. It is very important to keep the port site bandage dry in order to prevent an infection.
How is a port removed?
The procedure is performed with sedation or general anesthesia. Local numbing medicine will be injected into the skin around the port. A small incision will be made, the skin/tissue surrounding the port will be loosened, and the port will be removed. The incision will be closed with stitches, glue and steri-strips (small pieces of tape). A clean (sterile) dressing will be placed over the site and should remain in place for 48 hours.
If you have additional questions, please call the IR nurse scheduler at 215-590-7000 (press #1 at the first prompt, and press #2 at the second prompt).
Appointments
- 215-590-7000
