Consumer Information

Implanted Venous Access Ports

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

An implanted port is made up of two parts: a catheter (kath-uh-ter) and a port. A catheter is a small plastic flexible tube. A port is a pocket for fluids that you get through the catheter. It is made of metal or plastic and holds a small amount of liquid. One end of the catheter is connected to the port, and the other end goes through a vein near your heart.
Most ports are the size of a quarter. They have plastic or metal on the sides and rubber over the top. The port is placed right under your skin and you can usually feel it through your skin. A special needle goes through your skin and the rubber on top of the port when the port is used. By having an access port, you can have blood taken for tests, and get IV fluids quickly and easily. Having the port may keep your arm from being stuck many times with a needle.
A vein is a tube inside you that carries blood from the body to the heart and lungs. Your doctor will put the catheter into a vein near your neck. The port is placed on your chest near your collarbone, or in your upper arm. If the port will be used often, there may be a catheter tube (tail) attached to the needle. It will hang down onto your chest.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

There are always risks with any medical procedure. You may have more bleeding than usual or get an infection (in-fek-shun). You could have trouble breathing, or get blood clots. The port may become blocked or clogged. If this happens, you may need to have a special medicine put into the port to unclog it. The tip of the catheter could move out of place, or the catheter could get a leak in it. This may cause IV fluid to leak out into your skin, and damage it.
The port may become loose and move around. Air could get into your blood stream through the catheter, or you could get an irregular heartbeat. Rarely, your lung may collapse, or the catheter can break apart in your vein. You may die. Your caregivers will watch you closely for these problems. Call them if you are worried or have questions about your medicine or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before the Procedure:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.
Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
Call button: You may use the call button when you need your caregiver. Pain, trouble breathing, or wanting to get out of bed are good reasons to call. The call button should always be close enough for you to reach it.
IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.
Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors, broken ribs, or fluid around the heart and lungs.
Fluoroscopy (flor-os-co-pe): This is a special type of x-ray that shows movement of joints, organs and parts of the body. Body parts are shown on a screen for the caregiver. This test may be used to see if the catheter is being placed correctly.
12-lead ECG: This test, also called an EKG, helps caregivers look for damage or problems in different areas of the heart. Caregivers may need to prepare your skin by shaving off some hair, or cleaning it with a gritty lotion. Sticky pads are placed on your chest, arms, and legs. Each sticky pad has a wire that is hooked to a machine or TV-type screen. A short period of electrical activity in your heart muscle is recorded. Caregivers will look closely for certain problems or changes in how your heart is working. This test takes about 5 to 10 minutes. It is important that you lie as still as possible during the test. You may need this test more than once.
Pulse oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a machine that tells how much oxygen is in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your ear, finger, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Caregivers use this machine to see if you need more oxygen.
Transport: You will be taken on a cart to the room where your procedure will be done. Your caregiver will help you get comfortable on the bed. A belt may be put over your legs for safety. Your arms may be tucked at your sides to give your caregivers more room to stand beside you.
Vital signs: This includes taking your temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeat), and respirations (counting your breaths). To take your blood pressure, a cuff is put on your arm and tightened. The cuff is attached to a machine which gives your blood pressure reading. Caregivers may listen to your heart and lungs by using a stethoscope. Your vital signs are taken so caregivers can see how you are doing.
Anti-anxiety medicine: This medicine may be given to help you feel less nervous and more relaxed.
Local or monitored anesthesia: This is a shot of numbing medicine put into the skin where you will have surgery. You may still feel pressure or pushing during surgery but you should not have pain. With local anesthesia, you will be fully awake during the procedure. With monitored anesthesia care, you will also be given medicine through an IV. This medicine keeps you comfortable, relaxed, and drowsy during the procedure.

During the Procedure:

Your bed may be tilted so that your head is lower than your feet. This helps blood fill up the veins in your neck and chest, making the veins easier to find. You may need hair clipped in the area where your port will go. Your caregiver will clean this area with soap and water. This soap may make your skin yellow, but it will be cleaned off later. Towels will be put over you to keep the area clean. Do not touch the towels or the area that has been cleaned.
Your doctor will make 2 small incisions (cuts) on your chest, neck or arm. The catheter with a wire in it will be put through one incision. Fluoroscopy (flor-os-co-pe) is a type of x-ray that may be used to put in the catheter so doctors can see that it goes into the right place. The port attached to the catheter is put under the skin through the other incision. Tell your caregivers if you have tingling, numbness or pain in your chest, ear or arm. Your doctor can move the catheter to make this stop.
An x-ray may be taken to make sure the catheter is in the right place. When the doctor is sure the catheter is in the right place, the wire will be taken out. The doctor will use stitches (thread) to sew the implanted port to your chest muscle. The skin over the port will be sewn up. Bandages will be put on the incisions. The head of your bed will be raised after the procedure.

After the Procedure: After the port is inserted, you will be taken back to your room or a recovery area. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK. A bandage will cover your stitches. This bandage keeps the area clean and dry and prevents infection.

Activity: Caregivers may help you get out of bed to walk on the same day of surgery, or the day after. Ask caregivers if there are exercises that you may do while in bed. Exercise helps blood move through your body and may help prevent blood clots from forming. Your caregiver will tell you when it is OK to get out of bed. Call your caregiver before getting up for the first time. If you feel weak or dizzy while standing up, sit or lie down right away and call your caregiver. At first when you move your neck and shoulder, they may feel stiff or sore.
Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
Oxygen: You may need extra oxygen to help you breathe easier. It may be given through a plastic mask over your mouth and nose. It may be given through a nasal cannula, or prongs, instead of a mask. A nasal cannula is a pair of short, thin tubes that rest just inside your nose. Tell your caregiver if your nose gets dry or if the mask or prongs bother you. Ask your caregiver before taking off your oxygen. Never smoke or let anyone else smoke in the same room while your oxygen is on. Doing so may cause a fire.
Removing the Implanted Venous Access Port: Your doctor will remove the port and catheter for you. After it is removed, you will have a dressing over the area where the port was. Your implanted port may be removed for the following reasons:
- You no longer need the medicines or IV treatments.
- The catheter and port are causing an infection.
- Your port or catheter is blocked or no longer works right, and cannot be fixed with medicines.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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