Port Placement

Chemotherapy means frequent intravenous (IV) access, and repeated needle sticks wear out your veins fast. Dr. Waterman places implanted ports so your treatment team can deliver medication, draw blood, and administer fluids through a single reliable access point. Call the Stowe office or request an appointment online to discuss port placement before you begin treatment.

What is port placement?

A port is a small device implanted under the skin of your chest, usually just below the collarbone. It consists of a reservoir with a silicone top connected to a thin, flexible tube called a catheter, which threads into a large vein leading to your heart.

Once the port is in place, your care team accesses it with a special needle through the skin. Medication delivered this way disperses quickly through your bloodstream, and the large vein handles chemotherapy drugs better than the smaller veins in your arm.

Why would I need port placement?

Dr. Waterman may recommend a port when your treatment plan calls for repeated intravenous access. Common reasons include:

• Chemotherapy administered over months
• Frequent blood draws 
• IV fluids or antibiotics
• Blood transfusions
• Contrast for imaging studies
• Veins that have become difficult to access

Ports spare your arm veins from the scarring and irritation that come with repeated sticks, and many patients find treatment days less stressful once the port is in.

What happens during port placement?

The procedure takes about 30-45 minutes on an outpatient basis. You receive local anesthesia and light sedation, so you stay comfortable without going fully under.

Dr. Waterman makes one small incision at the base of your neck and one on your upper chest. She threads the catheter into the vein, positions the reservoir in a pocket beneath the skin, and closes both incisions. Imaging then confirms the placement.

You go home the same day. Expect some soreness and bruising for about a week, and avoid heavy lifting while the incisions heal. A small bump remains visible under the skin, which most patients stop noticing after a while.

How long does a port stay in?

Your port stays in for as long as your treatment requires, often a year or more. Some patients keep theirs for a while after finishing chemotherapy, since it makes ongoing lab draws and follow-up imaging easier. 

While the port is in place, your care team flushes it periodically to keep the catheter clear, even during stretches when you are not receiving treatment. When you no longer need it, Dr. Waterman removes it during a short outpatient procedure.

Call Green Mountain Breast Care Center today or request an appointment online to learn more about port placement.