So what is a portacath and why do I have one? Because chemotherapy involves injecting chemicals into my bloodstream with needles and drawing blood from me with needles and this needs to be repeated multiple times a week for six months, a portacath allows easy, consistent access to my bloodstream without the inconvenience of having to poke around all the time possibly leading to collapsed veins or other complications.
From Wikipedia - The term portacath is a portmanteau of “portal” and “catheter.” In medicine, a port (or portacath) is a small medical appliance that is installed beneath the skin. A catheter connects the port to a vein. Under the skin, the port has a septum through which drugs can be injected and blood samples can be drawn many times, usually with less discomfort for the patient than a more typical “needle stick.”
My portacath installation incision with stitches.
Portacath surgically installed. source
Needle inserted into installed portacath. source
Portacath before installation.
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Kind of like a USB port for blood.
Comment by Chris — 2008.09.12 @ 6:36 am
I am so grateful that I had a portacath during my chemo days but looking at one now totally made my stomach turn.
Comment by Ann — 2010.02.23 @ 8:11 pm