Important Note Regarding Appointment Availability - Click Here
A port-a-cath, also known as mediport or port for chemotherapy, is a small device inserted under your skin usually on the chest to allow easy access to your veins. A PowerPort is a special port that can withstand high-pressure injections. Dr. Madhu Prasad, a well-known general surgeon in Anchorage, AK has years of experience and delivers convincing and successful results.
A chemotherapy port can be used:
A port reduces the time needed to prepare your arm or hand for a procedure. Other benefits include:
Local anesthesia is used while inserting the chemo port. Your surgeon will make a small cut into the area where the port needs to be placed. They will insert the port under your skin usually on the chest. A small tube called a catheter is attached to the port, which then connects the port to a large vein near your heart.
The chemotherapy port might stay in place for 2 to 3 days if it is not causing discomfort and is placed safely in the vein.
You must keep the bandage dry until the incision is completely healed. This takes 5 to 7 days, and you cannot take a shower during this time. If the port is in your chest, you can take a shower, but you need to cover the site with plastic wrap and secure it with tape.
You should ask your doctor whether your port needs any special care such as washing your hands before touching the catheter to prevent infection, flushing with a medication to prevent the formation of clots, and more.
Call your doctor immediately if you have:
You should contact your doctor if you have any other problems with your port.
At Far North Surgery, we are committed to providing our patients with top-notch medical care and shorter recovery times. Our team is well-qualified and experienced and uses only the latest surgical tools and methods to achieve convincing results.
[Also Read - Laparoscopic Repair of a Paraesophageal Hernia in Anchorage, Alaska]
