CHEMOPORT INSERTION
Why it is necessary:
- Most commonly for administration of chemotherapy.
Procedure performed by:
Interventional Radiologists
How it performed:
- It involves placement of a small reservoir, a plastic or metal cylinder usually placed just below the collar bone under the skin, connected to a catheter that enters the jugular vein in the neck.
- It permit drawing blood tests, and giving medications, fluids and nutrition directly into the bloodstream, over a period of weeks, months or even years.
Precaution to be taken by patient:
- They are accessed with a needle puncture through the skin into a silicone membrane in the top of the reservoir port so minimal precaution required like proper needling and aseptic precaution during use of port.
What are benefits:
- For long term chemotherapy.
- Completely non visible from outside.
- Minimal risk of infection.
What are risks:
- Infection (<1 %).
- Blockage (Mainly due to improper care of PORT).
