If you have a surgically implanted portacath, and they take you off chemo, what care does it require?Flushing?

Question

The chemo is being stopped temporarily. Most likely will have to resume some time this year, thus we are leaving it in. Doctor said don't worry about it, but I am afraid it might clog, or get infected. Does it need to be flushed with Heparin or saline, and how often?

Answer 1

When ports are in use, they are flushed after each use and the last flush before removing the access is with 3 cc of heparin lock solution.
When the port is sitting and not being used, no flush is needed. However, a port is a foreign object inside the human body and close observation is important because the port is a potential site of infection.
Any fever, pain. redness or swelling around the port site or for that matter anywhere in you body or suspected sign or symptom of infection should be reported to your oncologist or other physician as soon as possible.
Good luck with your chemotherapy.
PS: when your port was implanted, they should have given you a booklet from the Bard company to let you know how to care for the port and what to do when it is not accessed.

Answer 2

My husband had to have his flushed with saline and a heparin lock done once a month. I think the chances of it getting clogged, infected, etc. depends on where it is.