At North Orlando Surgical Group, we are proud to have established a unique surgical practice characterized by superior skills and extraordinary services both to the patient we care for as well as their referring physicians. We are recognized in Central Florida for our ability to perform complex procedures in the least invasive way. Our attentive staff is focused on providing the highest level of personal services and are committed to making every patient’s surgical experience as comfortable and convenient as it can be.
What Is An Infusaport?
An infusaport is much like an IV offering entry into a vein. The infusaport is useful because while inserted a patient can generally live life as usual with the infusaport in place. The needle is inserted through the chest skin into a surgically implanted dome or port connected to a catheter threaded into a large vein in the upper chest or neck.
The infusaport is often preferred for giving chemotherapy because the tube goes into a larger vein which is able to tolerate some medicines better than smaller veins and it can remain in for months at a time, for comparison, the “shelf life” of an IV is only 3-7 days. This is is useful for patients that need frequent treatments, using an infusaport won’t cause as much scarring or discomfort as numerous IVs can.
Downside of An Infusaport
It is an outpatient surgical procedure, usually done with IV sedation and local anesthesia. As with every surgical procedure, there are risks. The team at North Orlando Surgical Group will take absolute care during your procedure, but there is a small risk, less than 5%, of a possible lung puncture or bleeding into the chest. Other possible risks include a blood clot or infection. At North Orlando Surgical Group, we prescribe you small amounts of blood thinners with antibiotics prior to the procedure to minimize these risks.
Recovery After The Procedure
This is an outpatient procedure, you will be able to go home the same day. However, this procedure uses a mild sedation and you will not be able to drive yourself for the remainder of the day or immediately following the procedure. Please bring a licensed driver with you at the time of your appointment to bring you home safely.
How Do I Care For The Port?
- Keep the port dry until you have your post-procedure check (generally scheduled 7-10 days after insertion)
- Cover your infusaport with a clear plastic for showering. It is important to keep it covered until the incision is completely healed to prevent infection
- You will only need to keep a dressing over the site for the first three days or so. After that just make sure the area is kept dry and exposed to air under your shirt
- You may feel a little discomfort after the procedure. This can be managed with medicine for up to 48 hours
Signs of Infection May Include:
If you notice any of the following signs, please call us immediately:
- Redness
- Extreme Pain / Tenderness
- Pus Drainage
- Extreme Warmth by the port site
- Excessive bleeding or swelling
- Fever of about 101 degrees taken in 2 readings four hours apart
Once Your Port Has Been Healed:
If your port is not being used regularly, it will need to be flushed once a month so that it does not clot off. This procedure can be done at the clinic that used the port for treatments and blood draws.
Trust Our Staff at North Orlando Surgical Group
If your doctor has recommended an infusaport, trust our doctors to place it in correctly for you. Continue to enjoy your life, with an infusaport port from North Orlando Surgical Group. Contact us today for more information, or to schedule an appointment at one of our two locations in Lake Mary & Orange City, FL.