Vascular Access Catheters/ports
VITA physicians place all types of central venous catheters, the most common one being a port catheter. This devise is typically used to deliver chemotherapy for cancer treatment, but can be placed for other reasons as well. A port is a disc-like chamber or reservoir that is placed under the skin of the chest wall, just below the coller bone. The roof of the port is formed by a soft silicone dome that can be accessed with a needle for infusion of chemotherapy. The port is connected to tubing that goes into the central, or chest, veins. Because it is completely under the skin, infection is rare, and it can last for many years. VITA physicians use ultrasound and x-ray fluoroscopy to insert the ports, with sedation, not general anesthesia, so complications are rare.
- For more information, please visit: