Who is a Candidate?


If you need to receive medicine intravenously (directly to the vein), chemotherapy, or blood products for an extended period, your doctor may recommend you have a chest port placed. You may need a chest port if you’re undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, dialysis for kidney failure, or nutrition therapy for a bowel or gastrointestinal condition that prevents you from eating and drinking through your mouth.

What to Expect


Generally, you must stop taking any aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other blood-thinning medicines for a period before the chest port placement. You may receive other instructions related to your medicines, diet, and lifestyle to prepare for the procedure.

Before the procedure, the skin of your chest is cleansed thoroughly, and your upper chest may be shaved if needed. You may have chest port placement using general anesthesia (fully asleep) or local anesthesia (numbing only to the affected area so you won’t feel pain), depending on your specific situation. 

Once the anesthetic medicine has taken effect, your interventional radiologist makes a two-inch incision on the right side of your chest, below your collarbone, and places the port in position. The chest port sits under the skin of your chest and isn’t visible, except for a slight bulge you may be able to feel. The catheter (thin, flexible tube) that will deliver needed medicines or other substances will run from the port, through your chest, and down toward your heart.

Once the port has been placed, your interventional radiologist closes the incision and puts bandages or dressings on the wound. The procedure typically takes 45 to 60 minutes. Once it’s complete, you’ll remain in an observation area for a few hours for careful monitoring. A family member or other caregiver can visit you during this time. Once you’re fully awake, able to use the restroom, and able to walk, you can return home.

You should rest for 24 hours after the procedure, under the close care of a responsible adult. For three days after the procedure, you shouldn’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds. Make sure to keep the incision area completely dry. We advise you don’t bathe or shower for three days following your procedure, if possible. You should take only baths (no showers) until your incision is fully healed.