Implantable ports are typically placed during a short, minor surgical procedure in an interventional radiology suite or surgical suite. Once the port is placed, it can usually be used right away for your treatment.
After the procedure, you may see some redness and tenderness in the area. This should improve in 24 to 48 hours. However, contact your healthcare team if you have pain, fever, chills, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
Ports are often filled with a sterile mixture of heparin, saline, or other solution to prevent clots. This is called a “lock” or “locking” the port. Heparin is a medicine that thins blood and is often used to prevent clots. Saline is also an effective solution to prevent clots.
After the port is placed, your healthcare provider will access the port when they need to give medicine, fluids or withdraw blood samples. The port will be accessed by placing a special needle, called a Huber needle or noncoring needle, into the port septum.
Depending on the facility or your prescribed therapy, you may be sitting up in a chair or lying down on a bed for the procedure. You may feel a mild pricking when they put the needle into the port. This sensation often gets milder over time. Ask your healthcare provider for more details as to what you should expect.
Blood can sometimes clot, leading to a blockage in the catheter. Clots prevent medicine and fluid from flowing through it. Ports are often filled with a sterile mixture of heparin, saline, or other solution to prevent clots. This is called a “lock” or “locking” the port. Heparin is a medicine that thins blood and is often used to prevent clots. Saline is also an effective solution to prevent clots. If your port will not be used for a long period of time, your healthcare team will usually change the lock every four weeks.
If you are allergic to heparin or have Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT), you should tell your healthcare provider anytime the port is used.
Check your patient ID card or ask your care team for proper flushing and locking information. Ask your healthcare provider how often you will return to the clinic to flush and lock your port.
Review your patient discharge packet and contact your healthcare provider should you have any questions or experience any complications post-placement. Keep your ID card and/or wristband on you so you can show your clinician if they have any questions about what kind of port you have.