Portacath Removal
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Dennis L. Streeter, D.O., F.A.A.O.S
General Surgeon & BioTE Certified Provider located in Merrillville, IN
A portacath is a small intravenous (IV) catheter that’s placed beneath your skin in your upper chest. Although some patients receive these medical devices because they require frequent blood transfusions, blood draws, antibiotics, or intravenous feeding, it’s most often used to administer chemotherapy to cancer patients. Board-certified surgeon Dr. Dennis Streeter in Merrillville, Indiana, can perform removal of catheter as in office procedure.
Portacath Removal
What is a portacath?
Commonly called a port, the term portacath combines the word “portal” with the word “catheter.” The device has two components: The port, or reservoir, and the catheter, or tube.
Small, round, and made of medical-grade titanium, the port is implanted just under your skin in your upper chest. Its single chamber is covered by a plastic membrane that allows your oncology nurse or physician to insert a needle into the port and deliver chemotherapy drugs. Because this plastic membrane is made of self-sealing plastic, it can be punctured numerous times.
The catheter portion of the device runs from the port to a large vein near your heart.
A portacath can be safely left in place for several years. If you’re going to have yours in place long-term, your oncology practice will arrange for monthly saline flushes so that the port won’t become blocked. Dr. Streeter no longer inserts portacaths but he can remove ports in office once your physician says that it is no longer needed for outpatient care and treatment.
Once a removal consent is signed and procedure explained. This is done under local anesthetic and removed under sterile technique. A stitch may be used to closed inner encapsulated area and a pressure dressing is applied.
If the portacath is removed due to infectious purposes; a culture is sent for potential antibiotic treatment in future.
