What is port implantation?

Procedures can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for your procedure.

Preparing for the procedure

• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
• Understand exactly what procedure is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your procedure. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your procedure. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the procedure and how soon to do it.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don’t have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It’s a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

• After the port is inserted, have your child take it easy for about 1 day. Your child will be able to return to normal activities shortly after. How soon depends on how your child feels, what types of activities your child does, and why the port is needed.
• Talk to the doctor about any limits on your child's activity. Your child probably will be able to bathe and swim. But your child may need to avoid some activities if a Huber needle is left in the port.
• Don't let your child wear anything tight (like a sports bra, suspenders, or a backpack strap) that irritates the skin near the port.
• Have your child carry a medical alert card in a safe place. Your child will get a card with information about the port. It will tell health care workers about the port in case your child needs emergency care.
• Make sure to go to all follow-up appointments. A nurse or other health professional will flush the port to keep it open.