Implanted Port: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

You've had a procedure to implant a port. A port is a device placed, in most cases, under the skin of your chest below your collarbone. It's about the size of a quarter, but thicker. It looks like a small bump under your skin.

A thin, flexible tube runs under the skin from the port into a large vein. With the port, you will be more comfortable getting medicines (such as chemotherapy), blood, nutrients, or other fluids. Blood can also be taken through the port for tests.

You will probably have some discomfort and bruising at the port site. This will go away in a few days.

The port can be used right away. You may have the port for weeks or months.

Your port will need to be flushed out regularly to keep it open. Your care team will do this for you.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

• Avoid arm and upper body movements that may pull on the area for the first few days. These movements include heavy weight lifting and vigorous use of your arms.
• You will probably need to take 1 day off from work and will be able to return to normal activities shortly after. This depends on the type of work you do, why you have the port, and how you feel.
• You probably will be able to take baths and swim. Talk to your doctor about any limits on your activity.
• Be careful when you pull your seat belt across your chest. It's okay if the seat belt lays over the port.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • Store your prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When you are done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.

Incision care

• If you have a bandage, your doctor will tell you when you can remove it. After you remove the bandage, you may shower. Gently wash the area with soap and water and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
• You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it rubs against clothing. Change the bandage every day.
• If you have strips of tape on the cut (incision) the doctor made, leave the tape on until it falls off.
• If there is skin glue on the cut (incision), leave it on until it falls off.

Other instructions

• Carry a medical alert card with you, and consider wearing a medical alert bracelet. These will tell health care providers you have a port in case you need emergency care.
• Do not wear clothing that rubs the skin over the port.
• Make sure to go to all follow-up appointments. Your port will need to be flushed out regularly to keep it open. Your care team will do this for you.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Contact your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You have pain or swelling in your neck or arm.
• You have symptoms of infection, such as:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
  • Red streaks leading from the area.
  • Pus draining from the area.
  • A fever.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems with your port.