In 1982, John E. Niederhuber, the 13th director of the National Cancer Institute, became the first to use an implantable or central venous port system. Since then, this method of administering medication has become prevalent in most hospitals for cancer treatment. As a result, demand increased, and the industry generated USD 457.2 million in revenue.

Technically, these devices give healthcare providers better access to a patient’s vein for administering intravenous (IV) treatments and drawing blood. It comes with a metal or plastic disc-shaped port that gets implanted beneath your skin. Usually, these barely visible quarter-sized ports are implanted in your abdomen, chest, or arm. However, some devices can cause infections, swelling, pain, etc.

Has your doctor advised using implantable ports for administering medication? Then, in this blog, we will discuss everything you must know about this port system.

Who Needs Implantable Ports During Treatment?

Implantable ports can help doctors treat patients who require frequent or long-term IV treatments. Doctors will recommend it for cancer patients requiring blood transfusions and blood draws due to chemotherapy. Moreover, anyone with inflammatory bowel disease or infections requiring IV nutrition or antibiotics will need this device.

Healthcare providers will also use implanted ports to treat people with kidney failures requiring frequent dialysis. These devices usually come with two parts: the septum and the catheter. The septum is a silicone top that gives the doctor access to the vein. Consequently, the catheter is a flexible tube that links the port to your vein.

How Do Doctors Implant the Port?

Ideally, this outpatient procedure only takes an hour. Doctors will insert the port on the right side of your chest, the inner side of your upper arm, or below the ribcage.

Before the procedure begins, they will administer low doses of anesthesia. Hence, it will put you to sleep, but you will not lose consciousness.

Once you feel the effects of anesthesia, the doctor will follow these steps:

• Make small incisions in the implant area and use fluoroscopy to perform the procedure
• Cut an access point in your vein for the septum and make an incision to place the port
• Use the incision to create a subcutaneous layer or pouch of skin and insert the port

After this, the doctor will insert the catheter and connect it to the vein. Then, they will perform X-rays to ensure correct placement and sew the incision. Once done, you might feel pain or discomfort in the slightly bulging area where the port is placed.

Remember, you should avoid strenuous activities until the incision heals.

Are Implanted Ports Dangerous?

According to WebMD, implanted ports can cause infections like sepsis near the catheter tip. You can develop pain, dizziness, and high fever. Approximately 27% of patients developed infections from damaged central venous port systems.

On the other hand, you can get blood clots near the catheter area due to improper placement. In either case, visit the doctor immediately. The Cleveland Clinic states that one in three patients can develop problems with their implanted ports.

In recent news, the FDA-approved Bard PowerPort has been scrutinized due to improper manufacturing methods. Certain parts of the device’s catheter tube migrated and fractured inside the skin.

As a result, it led to severe health complications. Examples include arterial puncture, damage to blood vessels, heart attacks, hemothorax, collapsed lungs, and more.

Hence, the patients were furious with the manufacturers, leading to a Bard PowerPort lawsuit. Currently, there are over 50 lawsuits filed against the manufacturers.

Plaintiffs are filing a wrongful death claim or a personal injury lawsuit for this incident. According to TorHoerman Law, anyone injured due to the Bard implantable port device can opt for this lawsuit. As of June 2023, attorneys believe the number of Bard PowerPort lawsuits can increase to 10,000.

Caring for an Implanted Port

Doctors recommend implanted ports if no other IV administration options are available. Usually, the implant area does not require special care. However, the doctors will flush out the catheter a few times every month. Doing so lowers the risk of blockages or clots while administering medication.

According to the University of Utah, you should keep the incision clean and dry during the first ten days. Remember to use heavy-duty medical tape to cover the dressing while showering. Additionally, you should change the dressing around the sutures every three days.

With proper care and rest, implanted ports can help you get dialysis and chemotherapy at home. The healthcare provider can also administer multiple medications and draw blood without using needles.

The Way Forward

Have you accepted getting an implantable port for administering medication? Then, ensure your doctor performs blood tests and gives you a list of medicines. These tests and supplements will help determine your kidney functions and the rate of blood clots.

Moreover, you cannot eat or drink for a few hours before the port is implanted. Once you are ready, the doctor will choose a single-lumen, power injectable, or

double-lumen implantable port system. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this device can handle almost 2,000 needle injections before requiring replacement. However, medication administration requirements will depend on the treatment plan offered.