Port catheter procedure Thu am

Susan has been scheduled to have her port catheter implanted early tomorrow morning. The port is a central line inserted into a major vein with a small reservoir placed under the skin. The reservoir has a silicone rubber cover that can be pierced repeatedly and seals up afterward, and can be used to draw blood and administer IV chemotherapy. Since it’s contained under the skin, it has a lower risk of infection and requires very little care compared to the PICC line like she had last fall that has external connectors. The line is placed during a one-hour outpatient surgery under sedation and local anesthetic. I’ll find out how long it can remain implanted – I think it’s a long-term device. There’s some risk of clotting that can be corrected with medications (anti-coagulants) injected into the port. We’re looking for ward to a smooth procedure and to the end of vein-searching arm sticks.