Vascular Access Port Implantation 

Why is a vascular access port needed?

A vascular access port may allow healthcare providers to give you:

• Chemotherapy or other cancer-fighting medicines

• IV (intravenous) treatments, such as antibiotics or nutrition

• Hemodialysis for kidney failure

• Long-term intravenous (IV) feeding for nutritional support

• Blood transfusions

The port may also be used to draw blood.

Before the procedure

Follow any instructions you are given on how to get ready.

Tell your provider about any medicines you are taking. This includes:

• All prescription medicines, especially blood thinners

• Over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen

• Herbs, vitamins, and other supplements

• If you are a smoker

Also be sure your healthcare provider knows:

• If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant

• If you are allergic to any medicines or substances, especially local anesthesia, iodine, or contrast materials

• Your full health history, including why you will need the port. Also tell your provider if you have a condition that makes your blood more likely to form clots, have heart or chronic kidney disease, or acute renal failure.

• If you plan on doing any contact sports

During the procedure

• Vascular access procedures are most often performed by a specially trained interventional radiologist.

• Before the procedure, an IV may be put into a vein in your arm or hand. This gives you fluids and medicines. You may be given medicine through the IV to help you relax during the procedure. This is called sedation. There are some healthcare providers that prefer to place ports using general anesthesia, which means you will be comfortably asleep throughout the procedure.

• The chest is used most often for the port. In some cases, your belly (abdomen) or arm will be used instead.

• The skin over the insertion area is numbed with local anesthesia.

• Ultrasound, X-rays, or both are used to help the healthcare provider guide the catheter into the correct place during the procedure.

• A cut (incision) is made in the skin where the port will be placed. A small pocket for the port is formed under the skin.

• A second small incision is made in the skin near the first incision. A tunnel under the skin is created. The catheter is put through the tunnel and into the blood vessel.

• The skin is closed over the port. It's held shut with stitches or surgical glue or tape. The second small incision is also closed.

• A chest X-ray may be done to make sure the port is in the correct position.

After the procedure

You will be taken to a postanesthesia care unit to be monitored by healthcare providers as you wake from anesthesia. If you have pain, nurses can give you medicine. If you are not staying in the hospital overnight, once you are stable, you will be sent home a few hours after the procedure is done. A healthcare provider will tell you when you can go home. Ask your discharge team for the Patient Information Card that identifies what kind of port was implanted. An adult family member or friend will need to drive you home.

Recovering at home

• Take pain medicine as directed by your healthcare provider.

• Take it easy for 24 hours after the procedure. Don't do any physical activity or heavy lifting until your healthcare provider says it’s OK.

• Keep the port site clean and dry. Ask when you can shower again. You will need to keep the incision dry until it heals by covering it when you shower.

• Alternatively, you may try sponge bathing around the catheter site for the first few days. You should not allow the incision to be submerged in water, such as by soaking in a tub.

• Care for the insertion site as you are directed.

• Don’t swim, bathe, or do other activities that cause water to cover the insertion site.

• Your port needs to be flushed at least every 4 to 6 weeks to keep it from getting blocked with blood clots. Talk with your healthcare provider about who will do this for you.

• In some cases, you may be taught how to flush it yourself.

• If necessary, your healthcare team will give you specific instructions about the care of your port and how to reduce the risks of infection.

• You should have been given a Patient Information Card that identifies what kind of port you have. Keep this card with you at all times and give a copy to your partner or a close family member or friend. Ask your healthcare provider if this patient product information is also in your electronic medical record. These cards usually contain the following information:

  • Type of port

  • Product number

  • Physician’s name and contact information

  • Implant site

  • Flushing protocol (if applicable)

• Wear a medical alert bracelet that identifies you as having a port.

Risks and possible complications of implantation

• Bleeding

• Infection of the insertion site

• Damage to a blood vessel

• Nerve injury or irritation

• Skin breakdown over the port

• Rarely, collapsed lung (for chest port placements)

• Cardiac complications occur when the catheter tip is placed incorrectly

• Thrombosis of the catheter tip

• Air embolism

Risks and possible complications of having a port

• Blocked port or catheter

• Leakage or breakage of the port or catheter

• The port moving out of position

• Blood clot

• Skin or bloodstream infection

• Skin breakdown over the port

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider or seek medical care right away if you have any of the following:

• A fever of 100.4° F ( 38.0°C) or higher, or as directed by your healthcare provider

• Chills

• Swelling, bleeding, or a collection of blood (hematoma) around the port insertion site

• Skin near the port that is red, warm, swollen, or broken

• Shoulder pain or arm numbness, weakness, or tingling on the side where the port is located

• You feel a heart flutter or racing heart

• Swollen arm, if the port is placed in your arm

• Cough, shortness of breath, or trouble taking a full, deep breath (Call 911)

• The catheter gets accidentally dislodged