Mediport (Port) Placement

A Mediport is placed under your skin in your chest about 1 inch below your collarbone (see Figure 1). It has a flexible tube that enters into a vein in your neck or chest.  Ports can stay for as long as you need them. Most implanted ports will be the size of a nickel or a quarter. A port will make it easier for your healthcare team to:

• Give you intravenous (IV) chemotherapy, fluids, and other medications. 

• Take blood samples.

Accessing your port
Your nurse will place a needle through the access point on your.  The medication or fluid will mothrough your port through the catheter and into your bloodstream.

Before your procedure
Port placement is a short procedure. Before the procedure, you will have an IV line placed in your arm. You may get medication through your IV that will make you feel drowsy. The medication will control pain and anxiety.

During your procedure
The area where the implanted port will be placed will be cleaned and numbed with local anesthetic (lidocaine/novocaine). 

Access to a vein at the base of your neck will be obtained. A small incision will be made on your chest, under your collarbone. The catheter will be placed through the incision, tunneled under your ski, and threaded into your vein.
Your incisions will be closed with either sutures (stitches) or surgical glue called Dermabond®. If you have sutures, they will be absorbed and won’t need to be removed.

After your procedure
You will stay in our recovery area for approximately 1 hour to make sure you are fully awake and feeling well following the procedure.

You may have some discomfort at your incision sites and where the catheter was tunneled under your skin. This should get better in 24 to 48 hours. You can take over-the-counter pain medication if you need it. Most people don’t need any pain medication.

Caring for your port site
Do not get the area wet for 24 hours. After 24 hours, you can shower, but should still avoid getting the site wet. You should not take a bath or swim for at least 1 week.

For 5 days after your implanted port is placed, don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds and do not engage in any rigorous exercise. You may do usual light activities after 24 hours.

Wearing a seatbelt may put pressure on your incisions. You can put a small pillow or folded towel between the strap and your body to help with this.

Don’t pick or scratch the Dermabond. It will come off on its own.

Call Your Interventional Radiologist if You:

• Have new or increased pain at the site of your port

• Have swelling or a growing bruise at the site of your port

• Have pus or fluid coming from your incision(s)

• Notice your incision(s) are hot, tender, red, or irritated

Call Your Healthcare Provider if You Have:

• A fever of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher

• Chills