Port Removal

Port removal is a procedure for removing a port, a small medical appliance that has been placed under the skin. A catheter connects the port to a vein. Ports allow the injection of medicines or extraction of samples of blood multiple times with less discomfort than repeated “needle sticks.” Ports are used mostly to treat hematology and oncology patients, but recently ports have been adapted also for hemodialysis patients. The port is usually in the upper chest, just below the clavicle or collar bone, or the upper arm. Port removal typically is performed under local anesthesia with conscious sedation and can be done in the outpatient setting. After surgery patients experience some bruising, swelling, and tenderness where the port was removed, but these symptoms usually go away gradually over the first three to five days. Over the counter medicines may be taken for relief of the discomfort.

Interventional radiology is a medical specialty that uses minimally invasive techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of health problems, and it is an integral part of comprehensive patient care. The UAB Medicine interventional radiology team is a dedicated group of skilled, innovative health care professionals who are committed to providing the highest quality of care to our patients.

The group uses the latest and most advanced technology and imaging methods, including fluoroscopy, ultrasound, and CT scans, to treat tumors as well as peripheral arterial, venous, urologic, and hepatobiliary diseases. Each of our five dedicated angiography suites has the full range of imaging technology needed for complex procedures, along with the latest in patient monitoring and documentation systems. Because UAB Medicine is an academic health center, patients may be offered participation in clinical research trials, which can provide access to new techniques and treatments that are not available elsewhere in the area.

Resources

• Port Removal Patient Information
• National Institutes of Health
• UAB Department of Radiology