Port-a-caths
What is a Port-a-Cath?
A Port-a-Cath is a small device that enables easy repeated access to your veins and it is especially useful for patients who have poor veins who need repeated blood tests and/or drug infusions into the veins (“drips”). It’s a small diaphragm that sits beneath the skin and is accessed with a needle (often bent at 90 degrees). It is often placed in the chest or upper arm (between the elbow and shoulder). A port-a-cath is inserted usually under light sedation (like you have for a colonoscopy) and the recovery is short. It is common that a patient gets their port inserted within a couple of days or on the day of chemotherapy.
Do I need one? How will I know?
You will know if your veins are good or bad. If the nurses are having three attempts at every visit to put the drip in (cannulating) - your veins are not crash hot. If you are only having chemotherapy for a short period of time (e.g. 3 months) it is unlikely you will need to have a port inserted, regardless of how bad your veins are. The nurses in the chemotherapy suites are THE BEST at inserting cannulas as they do it all day, everyday. If you are having chemotherapy for longer however, sometimes it is necessary to have a port inserted to avoid you having the trauma of multiple cannula attempts. Nurses do not enjoy jabbing you with a needle either, so it is also stressful for them to have several attempts to cannulate you. If your veins are problematic and the nurses think it may be better for you to have a port inserted, they will discuss it with you.
How long does it stay in for?
It can stay in forever! The only maintenance it requires is a "flush" with a brief injection of salt solution every 6-8 weeks. This ensures that the port-a-cath does not become blocked with a blood clot. It can be taken out once your treatment is complete however, and for patients with early breast cancer this is the norm.
Where can I find out more information?
Have a look at www.sydneymedicalinterventions.com.au. This is the website for my colleague, Dr Albert Goh, who I most often refer my patients to for their port insertion. He works at Norwest Private, Westmead Private and Royal North Shore Hospitals.
Are there any complications of a Port-a-Cath?
There are only two: infection and clots. Both are both extremely rare if Albert is inserting your port. Complication rates are highly dependent on the individual who does the procedure. Albert’s rates are next to zero.
A Port-a-Cath is a small device that enables easy repeated access to your veins and it is especially useful for patients who have poor veins who need repeated blood tests and/or drug infusions into the veins (“drips”). It’s a small diaphragm that sits beneath the skin and is accessed with a needle (often bent at 90 degrees). It is often placed in the chest or upper arm (between the elbow and shoulder). A port-a-cath is inserted usually under light sedation (like you have for a colonoscopy) and the recovery is short. It is common that a patient gets their port inserted within a couple of days or on the day of chemotherapy.
Do I need one? How will I know?
You will know if your veins are good or bad. If the nurses are having three attempts at every visit to put the drip in (cannulating) - your veins are not crash hot. If you are only having chemotherapy for a short period of time (e.g. 3 months) it is unlikely you will need to have a port inserted, regardless of how bad your veins are. The nurses in the chemotherapy suites are THE BEST at inserting cannulas as they do it all day, everyday. If you are having chemotherapy for longer however, sometimes it is necessary to have a port inserted to avoid you having the trauma of multiple cannula attempts. Nurses do not enjoy jabbing you with a needle either, so it is also stressful for them to have several attempts to cannulate you. If your veins are problematic and the nurses think it may be better for you to have a port inserted, they will discuss it with you.
How long does it stay in for?
It can stay in forever! The only maintenance it requires is a "flush" with a brief injection of salt solution every 6-8 weeks. This ensures that the port-a-cath does not become blocked with a blood clot. It can be taken out once your treatment is complete however, and for patients with early breast cancer this is the norm.
Where can I find out more information?
Have a look at www.sydneymedicalinterventions.com.au. This is the website for my colleague, Dr Albert Goh, who I most often refer my patients to for their port insertion. He works at Norwest Private, Westmead Private and Royal North Shore Hospitals.
Are there any complications of a Port-a-Cath?
There are only two: infection and clots. Both are both extremely rare if Albert is inserting your port. Complication rates are highly dependent on the individual who does the procedure. Albert’s rates are next to zero.