What is Portacath insertion and removal?
A venous access portacath is a central venous access device that is implanted under the skin, either on the chest or arm, that allows easy access to your veins to give treatment or take blood.
Why perform Portacath insertion and removal?
This procedure is ideal for patient who require long term or frequent venous access for treatment, or have arm/hand veins that may be difficult to access. Although this procedure is a little more complex than other other central venous access devices, patients often prefer to have a portacath inserted because there are fewer restrictions on activies such as bathing, swimming and exercise. The device is less likely to be displaced compared to other central venous devices.
How does Portacath insertion and removal work?
Portacath insertion is usually done under sedation in an operating room with specialised medical imaging equipment. Your interventional radiologist will use an ultrasound to guide a fine needle into the vein at the base of the neck through which a wire is passed. An incision will then be made in the skin over your chest between 2-4cm in length, about 10cm below the collar bone. Space will then be made under the skin for the portacath, and the tubing connected to the port reservoir will be tunnelled under the skin to the neck and threaded into the vein. The tip of the tube will be just above the right atrium of the heart where there is rapid blood flow. The skin will be closed with absorbable sutures (dissolving stitches).Â
When it comes time to use the port, after cleaning and applying numbing cream to the skin over the port, your nurse will feel for where the portacath reservoir is, and pass a needle into the device, draw out a small amount of blood and then begin your treatment.
When you have completed your treatment, many people elect to have their portacath removed, as the port otherwise requires monthly flushes. It is a relatively simple matter of making an incision through the existing scar, carefully removing the portacath, and closing the skin with absorbable sutures.
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appointments:
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Suite 20, 3 Doherty Street, Birtinya, QLD, 4575, Australia
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Our office is attended Monday - Friday from 9am - 5.30pm.