Dr Pieter Swart

A chemo port is a small, implantable reservoir with a thin silicone tube that attaches to a vein. The main advantage of this vein-access device is that chemotherapy medications can be delivered directly into the port rather than a vein, eliminating the need for needle sticks.

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Why would I need surgery?

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Whether or not your doctor recommends a port may depend on several things. Some chemotherapy medications can only be given through a port, as they are too caustic to be delivered into a peripheral vein. And some people have veins that are very difficult to access, making a port a better option than placing an IV.

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What does the surgery involve?

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Insertion of a port catheter is a minor surgery and requires a skin incision a few centimetres in length. This port incision is made with local anesthetic below the clavicle. The catheter is connected to the port, placed under the skin and then into the neck vein, and the port is placed beneath the skin.  Once the ChemPort is no longer required the implanted port is removed using local anesthesia or conscious sedation. This is done in a sterile, operating room setting. During the procedure, a small incision is made and the port and catheter are removed.