Pediatric Implantable Venous Port

Port Placement

• What is an implantable venous port used for in children?

  Some medicines cannot be given through peripheral IV lines and some require frequent, painful needle insertions. A port provides a reliable way for a patient to receive IV nutrition and fluids, as well as medications which can be harmful to small blood vessels, such as chemotherapy. A port also allows the medical team to easily obtain blood samples. To give medicines or take blood, we insert a needle through the skin into the port. We usually put numbing cream on the skin, so your child will not feel pain.

• How is the implantable venous port inserted for children?

  An implantable venous port consists of a port reservoir, which is a round piece of plastic with a soft silicone top, and a thin, flexible tube attached to the port called the catheter. Using ultrasound and live X-ray (fluoroscopy) for guidance, the doctor inserts the catheter into an access vein, usually in the neck. 

  The interventionalist at Children's National Hospital will make a small incision where the port will sit, usually on the upper chest, between the nipple and collarbone. A small pocket will be made for the port to sit in, then the catheter is tunneled upward toward the neck and inserted into the vein, then threaded down so the tip is in the large vessel that leads toward the heart.

• Will my child be awake during the implantable venous port procedure?

  No. The procedure will be performed with IV sedation or general anesthesia.

• Will my child feel any pain after the implantable venous port procedure?

  After the procedure, some children may feel discomfort and/or experience mild bruising in the neck or chest area for several days.

• How long does an implantable venous port procedure take for children?

  Approximately 60 to 90 minutes.

• What risks are associated with an implantable venous port procedure in children?

  This procedure is considered low risk. However, potential complications include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Injury to veins or other surrounding structures
  • Abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia)
  • Collapse of the lung (pneumothorax)

• When can I remove my child's bandages (dressings) after a implantable venous port placement?

  Your child will have two bandages, usually one on the side of the neck and one on the chest. After 48 hours, you may remove the bandage from both sites. It is okay to keep the incisions open to air at this point if it is not being used. You will see Dermabond^© (a blue skin glue). Do not peel the Dermabond^© off or pick at it. The skin glue will fall off on its own, usually within one to two weeks. Once the incision has healed there is no need to place any type of bandage over the port when it is not being used. When the port is being used (needle is in place), the bandage over it must remain in place at all times.

• When can my child bathe after an implantable venous port placement?

  Your child should not shower or take a bath for 48 hours. After the bandages are removed your child may shower but should face away from the spray to keep water off the site. Do not submerge the site in water (bath or pool) until the site is fully healed, which usually takes about one month. When the port is being used (accessed), the site must be kept clean and dry to prevent infection.

• Are there any activity restrictions after an implantable venous port placement in a child?

  Your child will be able to resume most activities after five to seven days, including day care or school and sports or games such as biking or tennis. Your child should be discouraged from activities such as contact sports and rough playing, which may result in damage to the port. If you have questions about which activities are okay, please ask us.

  When there is no needle in place, swimming or water activity is allowed once the incisions have fully healed. When a needle is in place, your child may not go swimming or submerge in a bathtub; it is important to keep the site dry to prevent infection.

Port Removal

• How is an implantable venous port removed in children?

  Your child will be sedated or we will use general anesthesia. After injecting numbing medicine into the skin around the port, we will open the incision near the port, loosen the tissue around it and remove the port. The incision will be closed with dissolvable stitches and glue then covered with a bandage.  

• When can I remove my child's bandages after an implantable venous port removal?

  After 48 hours, you may remove the bandage. It is okay to keep the incisions open to air at this point if it is not being used. You will see Dermabond^© (a blue skin glue). Do not peel the Dermabond^© off or pick at it. The skin glue will fall off on its own, usually within one to two weeks. 

• When can my child bathe after an implantable venous port removal?

  Your child should not shower or take a bath for 48 hours (two days). After the bandage is removed, your child may shower, but should face away from the spray to keep water off the site, or sponge-bathe around the site. Do not submerge the site in water (bath or pool) until the site is fully healed, which usually takes about one month. 

  It’s ok for your child to return to their regular activity after 48 hours.