Port Placement
When you need multiple rounds of IV treatment for cancer or a blood disorder, your doctor may suggest having a port implanted for reliable IV access.
If you need a port placed or have questions about this procedure, please call or contact us for an appointment with Dr. Kasthuri today.
Learn More About Port Placements
How does a port work?
A port consists of a small box that is placed completely under the skin with tubing that runs over your collar bone and goes into a large vein that runs to your heart. The port allows your medical team to inject medications, provide blood transfusions, and draw blood by accessing the silicone septum on the box with a needle. With it in place, you will not need to get an IV in your arm every time you need medical treatment or a blood draw.
Dr. Kasthuri surgically implants the port beneath the skin typically on the right side of your chest. Since the entire port is underneath the skin, it does not require any special care or restrictions once you have healed from the initial placement.
Who needs a port?
What happens during port placement surgery?
Port placement is an outpatient procedure, typically requiring spending about 3 hours at NWES. Dr. Kasthuri will discuss the port and the risks and benefits of the procedure and make sure all your questions and concerns are addressed beforehand. The staff will bring you into the xray suite and prepare the area to make it sterile. Dr. Kasthuri uses a combination of local anesthesia to numb the skin and moderate sedation to help relax you and control any pain you may experience during the procedure. He uses ultrasound to access the large vein in your neck and makes a small incision in the chest wall. The port is inserted underneath the skin and connected to a catheter that runs in to the large vein in your neck. The small incision on your chest is closed with skin glue.
Recovery after the procedure is typically short, and you can leave once you’re awake, typically within 30 minutes to an hour after the procedure ends. Because of the sedation you cannot drive and will need a ride home.
How do I take care of my port after placement?
In most cases patients can shower 24 hours after port placement. The port site typically heals within 10-14 days. Once it has healed and the glue has fallen off and only a scar remains, you should be able to go about your normal activities. Each time a medical practitioner uses the port, they flush it well. If it’s not being used frequently, it needs to be accessed and flushed every six weeks to keep it working well.
If you need a port placed, contact Dr. Kasthuri at Northwest Endovascular Surgery for an appointment online or over the phone.
Saravanan Kasthuri, MD
Northwest Endovascular Surgery
Interventional Radiologist & Endovascular Surgeon located in Benton County, Richland, WA
Your Health Starts Here
At Northwest Endovascular Surgery we are committed to your health and will be by your side every step of the way.
To schedule flexible appointments, for questions, or concerns, please request an appointment.
Or call — 509-588-7613
“I would highly recommend this Dr. Kasthuri., he is one of the most caring and the most skilled doctors I know. “
-John A.