What to Expect


Your doctor may ask you to stop taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or other blood-thinning medicines before your procedure. Typically, our interventional radiologists place tunneled catheters while you’re in the hospital, and you’re under general anesthesia (fully asleep). 

Once the anesthetic has taken effect, your interventional radiologist makes an incision and inserts the catheter using special imaging equipment. In most cases, a tunneled catheter is placed in a vein in the neck (internal jugular), but they may also be placed in the upper thigh (femoral), liver (transhepatic), chest (subclavian), or back (translumbar). After the catheter is in position in the vein, a bandage will be placed over the incision.

Tunneled catheter placement usually takes about an hour to complete. You can expect to remain in an observation area for several hours after the procedure to make sure you recover safely. You shouldn’t take a shower or bath for 48 hours after you’ve had the tunneled catheter placed. After that time, be careful not to get the bandage wet while bathing. Most people can resume normal activities within a few days of the catheter placement. 

You’ll receive detailed instructions before you’re discharged from the hospital on how to care for your tunneled catheter. You will have an access port outside your skin that allows your health care team to deliver medicines or draw blood through the catheter. You should never attempt to remove the tunneled catheter yourself, nor should you ever allow anyone who isn’t a health care professional to access the catheter.

Who is a Candidate?


If your health care team needs access to your vein for an extended period — anywhere from two weeks to several months — you may need to have a tunneled catheter placed. Your interventional radiologist may place a tunneled catheter if you need to have:

  • Chemotherapy for cancer treatment
  • Frequent blood samples
  • Medicines that can’t be delivered through a standard IV (intravenous) line
  • Nutrition therapy for a bowel or gastrointestinal condition that prevents you from eating and drinking through your mouth