Vascular Access Ports and Needles

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Access Ports and Port Needles

A vascular access port device consists of a catheter connected to a reservoir. It is implanted subcutaneously and namely used to deliver drugs into the blood stream. Port access has become essential for venous, arterial, peritoneal, pleural, and spinal (epidural/intrathecal) access indications and is recommended for long-term therapies of more than 3 months. One of the main reasons for using a port access is to spare the patient repeated injections or infusions into one of the peripheral veins. The port implantation time depends upon the duration of the individual treatment. 

Indications for Use

The main treatments indicated for port access are the following:

  • Intra-venous chemotherapy
  • Intra-venous antibiotic therapy
  • Long term Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
  • Loco regional chemotherapy
  • Drainage of malignant ascites (peritoneal and pleural effusions)
  • Long term pain treatment
  • High pressure injection of contrast media when CT scan is performed
  • Blood transfusion and blood sampling

Implantation of the Vascular Access Port

The implantation site is chosen according to the indication, clinical condition of the patient, the patient’s lifestyle and the treatment to be administered. The operation is simple and takes only around 30 minutes under local anesthesia (general anesthesia for children). The vascular access port may be placed in the upper or lower thoracic position or even in a brachial position with a dedicated brachial port. 

The vein is punctured to introduce the catheter and the skin is incised to make a pocket to place the vascular access port under the skin. The port pocket is made as small as possible (about 2.5 cm). After implantation a dressing is placed to protect the incision. If treatment is required right after the port placement, it is possible for the physician to place immediately a needle into the port to administer the treatment.

If the treatment requires a few days infusion, a special needle will be put in place and covered with a sterile dressing. This needle does not need to be changed every day, but the maximum duration of needle placement should not exceed 7 days. When the patient is not receiving regular treatment through the access port, it is recommended to be flushed every 4 weeks. This is to make sure that the catheter and port are still functional. In most cases, there are no complications.

The insertion of the needle into the port is generally painless. However local anaesthetic cream can be applied over the injection site to numb the area. The access, use and maintenance of the vascular access port must be done according to strict aseptic rules and following approved local protocols.

Potential access routes.

Potential Access Routes 

There are many potential access routes for a central venous vascular access port catheter. The most used are the internal or external jugular veins, the subclavian vein, the cephalic vein and the axillary vein.

The advantages of an access port are numerous:

  • Decrease in number of punctures in peripheral veins which could be damaged by chemotherapy and are then less accessible
  • Easier and less painful venous access, which is more comfortable
  • Home care treatment facilitated
  • Possibility to go on with everyday activities

Further information can be found in our brochures below.

Related Documents

Description Document Link
Celsite® Access Port System – Patient guide
pdf (4.5 MB)
Celsite®, Surecan®, Cytocan® Access Port Systems, PICCs, Accessories and Non-Coring Port Needles
pdf (729.9 KB)