Chest port (port-a-cath) insertion (Totally implantable central venous access port insertion)

A small device placed fully under the skin of the chest, connected to a tube in a large vein, so treatment such as chemotherapy can be given through a needle into the port over many months.

✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review

In short

A chest port is a small device placed fully under the skin and joined to a tube in a large vein, used for treatment over many months such as chemotherapy.
It is put in through small skin cuts under ultrasound and X-ray guidance with local anaesthetic, often with light sedation — a minor procedure rather than major surgery.
Because nothing sits outside the skin between treatments, day-to-day care is easier than a PICC and you can usually shower and swim when it is not being used.
It still carries real risks of infection and clot, needs flushing every so often to stay working, and should be removed once treatment is finished.

A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.

At a glance

TypeImage-guided minor procedure

AnaestheticLocal anaesthetic, often with light sedation; sometimes general

How long it takesAbout 45–60 minutes

Hospital stayUsually day case

Time off workA few days for the wound to settle; the port is often used after about a week

When you'll see resultsThe port can usually be used once the small wound has settled (often around a week)

On the NHS?Commonly placed on the NHS for people needing repeated treatment such as chemotherapy

A general guide. Your radiologist will give you advice for your situation.

Best fit

Reliable long-term access to a large vein for repeated treatment such as chemotherapy

Pause if

There is active infection in the bloodstream or at the planned site that should be treated first.

Main recovery point

Expect soreness, bruising and swelling over the port and wounds. Take simple pain relief as advised and rest the arm on that side. If a neck or chest vein...

Good aftercare

Clear written wound-care and flushing instructions, with a flushing schedule.

First 24 hours

Expect soreness, bruising and swelling over the port and wounds. Take simple pain relief as advised and rest the...

First few days

The wounds settle and any dressings are kept clean and dry. Avoid heavy lifting and big arm movements on that...

Around 1 week

Stitches under the skin usually dissolve; any skin stitches or glue are dealt with as advised. The port is often...

Weeks 2–4

Most discomfort has gone and normal activity resumes. You can usually shower and, once fully healed, swim when the...

Medical line illustration of central line picc port for Chest port (port-a-cath) insertion. — Illustration only - not a diagnosis, medical advice or a promise of result. Your anatomy and treatment plan may differ. Vuemedics does not publish before-and-after photos.

What is a chest port (port-a-cath)?

A chest port, often called a port-a-cath, is a small device — about the size of a large coin or button — that sits completely under the skin, usually on the upper chest. It is joined to a thin tube (catheter) that runs into a large vein leading back to the heart.

Because everything is under the skin, there is nothing on the outside between treatments. When treatment is needed, a nurse cleans the skin and pushes a special needle through it into the port, then gives medicines or takes blood. Ports are mainly used for people who need treatment over many months, such as chemotherapy, long courses of medicines or repeated infusions, especially when ordinary veins are difficult.

It is usually put in by an interventional radiologist or surgeon using an ultrasound scan to find the vein and an X-ray to check the tube position. The skin is numbed with local anaesthetic, often with light sedation, and one or two small cuts are made — one to enter the vein and one to make a small pocket under the skin for the port. This is a minor procedure, not major surgery, but it does involve placing a device in the body, so it carries risks of infection and clotting and needs sensible care.

Types, options & approaches

There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.

Single-chamber chest port

The most common type, with one reservoir and one tube into the vein. Suitable for most chemotherapy and long-term treatment.

Dual-chamber port

Has two reservoirs so two different medicines or fluids can be given at the same time. Used when the treatment plan needs separate channels.

Power-injectable port

Built to withstand the pressure used to inject contrast dye quickly, so the port can also be used for CT scans with contrast. Useful if you will need repeated scans.

Arm port

A smaller port placed in the upper arm rather than the chest, chosen for some patients depending on anatomy or preference.

Chest port versus a PICC line

Feature	Chest port	PICC line
Where it sits	Fully under the skin of the chest	Partly outside the upper arm
Between treatments	Nothing visible; little care needed	Needs regular dressing changes
Showering/swimming	Usually fine when not in use	Must keep dry; no swimming
Best for	Months to years, intermittent treatment	Weeks to a few months
Access	Needle through the skin each time	Already accessible at the arm

A port suits long-term, on-and-off treatment and is more discreet between cycles; a PICC may suit shorter courses. Ask your team which fits your treatment and your veins.

Preparing for your procedure

Tell the team about any allergies, bleeding problems, or blood-thinning medicines (such as warfarin, apixaban or clopidogrel), which may need adjusting first.
You will usually have a blood test to check your clotting and blood count beforehand.
You will normally be asked not to eat for several hours before, and you may continue clear fluids until a couple of hours before; follow the exact instructions given.
Arrange for someone to take you home, as light sedation is often used.
Mention any previous lines, clots, narrowed veins, a pacemaker, or radiotherapy to the chest or neck.
Tell the team if you have any infection (such as a cold, urine or skin infection), as it may be safer to wait.
Ask which side the port will go and whether that affects seatbelts, bra straps or your work and hobbies.

What happens

You lie on a couch in the X-ray or treatment room and are connected to monitors. The team uses an ultrasound scan to find a suitable large vein, usually in the neck or upper chest. The skin is cleaned thoroughly and numbed with local anaesthetic, and light sedation is often given to help you relax.

The interventional radiologist or surgeon makes a small cut to enter the vein and threads the tube so its tip sits in a large vein near the heart, checking the position with X-rays. A second small cut is made nearby to create a little pocket under the skin, where the port itself is placed and connected to the tube. The pocket is closed with stitches under the skin, and dressings are applied.

The procedure usually takes around 45 to 60 minutes. Afterwards you rest in recovery for a couple of hours while your blood pressure and pulse are checked. The team will often wait about a week before first using the port, to let the wound settle and reduce swelling that can make the port harder to feel.

Is this procedure right for me?

A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.

May not be suitable if…

There is active infection in the bloodstream or at the planned site that should be treated first.
The target veins are blocked, badly narrowed or previously damaged, so another approach is needed.
A bleeding tendency or blood-thinning medicine cannot be safely managed around the procedure.
Only a short course of treatment is needed, where a PICC or ordinary drip would be more appropriate.

Delay or rearrange if…

You have a current infection or unexplained fever.
Your blood-clotting results or platelet count are outside safe limits and can be corrected.
Blood-thinning medicines have not yet been adjusted as advised.
The skin at the planned port site is broken, inflamed or recently irradiated and needs review.

Alternatives to discuss

A PICC line for shorter courses of treatment (weeks to a few months).
A tunnelled central line as an alternative long-term option.
An ordinary peripheral cannula for one-off or short treatments.
Changing the treatment route (for example to oral medicines) where clinically appropriate.

Before you decide

Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.

What matters most to me?

Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.

What are all my options?

Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.

What would make me pause?

Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.

What happens if I do nothing today?

For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.

Comfort, sedation or contrast choices

If local anaesthetic, sedation, contrast or pain relief is used, ask what is planned, why, and what it means afterwards.

Local anaesthetic

The skin and pocket area are numbed; suitable for many people, sometimes on its own.

Local anaesthetic with light sedation

Commonly used to help you relax and stay comfortable; you will usually need someone to take you home.

General anaesthetic

Used in some cases, for example in children or where it is safer or more comfortable.

Benefits

Reliable long-term access to a large vein for repeated treatment such as chemotherapy
Nothing sits outside the skin between treatments, so it is discreet and easy to live with
Usually allows showering and swimming when the port is not being used
Less day-to-day care than a PICC, with flushing needed only every so often
Can be removed when treatment is finished

Risks & complications

More common

Bruising, swelling and soreness over the port and wounds for a few days
A small, firm lump where the port sits under the skin (this is normal)
Discomfort when the needle is first put into the port, which eases with numbing cream
Tightness or pulling sensation in the first days as the wounds heal

Less common

Wound or pocket infection, needing antibiotics
A blood clot (thrombosis) in the vein the tube sits in
The tube becoming blocked or the port being hard to use
The port flipping or moving in its pocket so it is harder to access

Rare but serious

A bloodstream infection (port-related sepsis), which is serious and usually means removing the port
A small collapse of the lung (pneumothorax) when a chest or neck vein is used
Damage to a nearby artery or nerve during insertion
The tube fracturing or part of it moving, very rarely needing a procedure to retrieve it

As with any line into a central vein, the risks that matter most over time are infection (in the pocket, the device or the bloodstream) and a clot in the vein. Clean technique every time the port is accessed, regular flushing, and removing the port once treatment finishes all reduce risk. Make sure you know who to contact urgently if you develop a fever or the skin over the port becomes red, swollen or painful.

Published figures to discuss

Port complication rates depend on the vein used, whether ultrasound/fluoroscopy is used, cancer and clot risk, how often the port is accessed, and how long it remains in place. Early complications are mostly insertion-related; late complications are usually infection, blockage, thrombosis or device problems.

Figure	Reported range	How to interpret it	Source / confidence
Overall port complication rate	Reviews report roughly 7–13% overall	This includes early and late complications of very different severity.	Central venous port complications review — PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure
Port or bloodstream infection	Often around 2–5%, varying with duration and cancer/chemotherapy context	Fever, chills during access or redness over the port needs prompt review.	Central venous port complications review — PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure
Catheter-related thrombosis	Low single digits in many series, but higher in some cancer cohorts	Arm, neck or facial swelling on the port side is a warning sign.	Central venous port complications review — PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure
Pneumothorax after insertion	Usually under 1–3% with image guidance; older series report higher	Sudden breathlessness or chest pain after insertion needs urgent assessment.	Central venous port complications review — PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govPublished figure
Port blockage, malposition or flipping	Uncommon, but a common reason for troubleshooting or replacement	May need flushing, imaging or revision if the port cannot be used safely.	Central venous port complications review — PMCpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govSource-linked context

These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.

What happens afterwards

Recovery from the insertion itself is usually quick — most people are sore for a few days. The port is often left to settle for about a week before first use. After that, living with a port is generally low-maintenance.

First 24 hours

Expect soreness, bruising and swelling over the port and wounds. Take simple pain relief as advised and rest the arm on that side. If a neck or chest vein was used, a chest X-ray may be checked.

First few days

The wounds settle and any dressings are kept clean and dry. Avoid heavy lifting and big arm movements on that side. The lump of the port becomes easier to feel as swelling goes down.

Around 1 week

Stitches under the skin usually dissolve; any skin stitches or glue are dealt with as advised. The port is often used for the first time around now, once swelling has settled.

Weeks 2–4

Most discomfort has gone and normal activity resumes. You can usually shower and, once fully healed, swim when the port is not being used.

While the port stays in

It is flushed every so often to keep it working, even between treatments. Watch for redness, swelling, pain or fever over the port and report these promptly.

What's normal — and not a worry

Bruising, swelling and tenderness over the port for several days
A visible or feelable firm lump where the port sits — this is expected
Mild pulling or tightness as the small wounds heal
Some discomfort the first few times the port is accessed with a needle

Aftercare

Keep the wounds clean and dry until healed, and follow advice on dressings and showering.
Avoid heavy lifting and vigorous arm or shoulder movement on that side in the first days.
Attend appointments to have the port flushed on schedule, even when it is not being used.
Ask for numbing cream before the needle if accessing the port is uncomfortable.
Make sure only staff trained in using ports access yours, using clean technique each time.
Carry your port information or card, and tell any future MRI or CT team you have a port.
Keep the team's contact number, and know who to call out of hours.

Before your procedure

Written aftercare and wound-care instructions
A port information card or details of the device
A 24-hour contact number for the team
A plan and schedule for flushing the port
Numbing cream available for needle access if needed
Knowing the warning signs of infection and clot

Scars and how they heal

There is no large surgical scar. A chest port is put in through one or two small skin cuts — typically one near the collarbone area to enter the vein and one over the chest where the port sits. These heal to small scars that usually fade over months. You will be able to feel, and often slightly see, the firm outline of the port under the skin while it is in place; once it is removed, the small wound closes over and the scar fades.

⚠ Get urgent help if…

A temperature, fever, shivering or feeling suddenly unwell — this can mean a port infection and needs urgent assessment
Increasing redness, swelling, heat, pain or discharge over the port or wounds
Swelling, pain or colour change in the arm, neck or face on the side of the port (possible clot)
Sudden breathlessness or chest pain — call 999
The skin over the port breaking down or the port becoming visible through the skin
The port will not flush, or there is pain or swelling when it is used

Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your radiologist gives you.

Results & realistic expectations

A well-placed port gives dependable, discreet access to a large vein for repeated treatment over many months, with little day-to-day care. Its position is confirmed before use. The port is a route for treatment, not a treatment in itself, and it works best when it is accessed cleanly by trained staff, flushed on schedule, and removed once it is no longer needed.

How long it lasts

A chest port can stay in place and work well for many months or even years if cared for properly, which makes it well suited to long courses of intermittent treatment. The longer it stays, the more the small ongoing risks of infection and clot add up, so your team will review whether it is still needed and remove it when treatment finishes.

Related tests, treatments or support

A port is usually placed as part of a treatment plan such as chemotherapy or long-term infusions. A power-injectable port can also be used to give contrast for CT scans, which can be helpful if you will need repeated imaging. If you only need access for a few weeks, a PICC may be suggested instead.

Follow-up & long-term care

The port is flushed on a set schedule and the skin over it is checked at each visit. Your team will review whether it is still needed and arrange removal at the right time, usually a short procedure under local anaesthetic. Report any fever, redness or swelling over the port straight away rather than waiting.

Regular flushing (often every few weeks to a couple of months) to keep the port working between treatments
Clean, trained access every time the port is used
Checking the skin over the port for redness, swelling or breakdown
Periodic review of whether the port is still needed, with removal when treatment ends

Repeat, follow-on and what comes next

The tube can block and need flushing, unblocking, or occasionally replacing.
The port may flip or sit awkwardly in its pocket, sometimes needing repositioning.
A port-related infection or clot may mean the device has to be removed and, if still needed, replaced.
Rarely the tube can fracture or move, needing a procedure to adjust or retrieve it.

Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.

What good aftercare looks like

Clear written wound-care and flushing instructions, with a flushing schedule.
A named 24-hour contact route for fever, redness, swelling or a port that will not flush.
Access only by staff trained in using ports, with clean technique and numbing cream offered.
Regular review of whether the port is still needed, with prompt removal when it is not.

What affects the cost

Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:

The type of port (single, dual-chamber, power-injectable, or arm port)
Operator and team fees, and the use of an imaging room with ultrasound and X-ray
Whether light sedation or a general anaesthetic is used
Confirmatory imaging such as a chest X-ray
Ongoing care: flushing visits while the port is in place
Removal of the port and management of any complications

Make sure your written quote includes

The operator and facility fees for inserting the port
The device itself and imaging used to guide and confirm placement
Any sedation or anaesthetic and its monitoring
Who provides flushing and at what cost between treatments
The cost of removing the port at the end of treatment
What happens, and who pays, if a complication such as infection or clot occurs

On the NHS? Chest ports are routinely placed on the NHS for people needing repeated treatment such as chemotherapy; private placement is mainly for speed, choice or where care is being given privately.

You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.

Choosing a specialist safely

Check the radiologist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the radiologist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.

How Vuemedics verifies every consultant →

Questions to ask your medical professional

Take this to your consultation. A good radiologist will welcome every one of these.

Is a port or a PICC better for my treatment, and why?
Which side will the port go, and will it affect seatbelts, bra straps, work or hobbies?
Will my port be power-injectable so it can be used for CT scans?
How often will the port need flushing, and who will do it?
Exactly who do I contact, day or night, if I get a fever or the area becomes red or sore?
When will the port be reviewed for removal once my treatment finishes?
Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
Will you be the radiologist who carries out my procedure, and who looks after me afterwards?
What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
What does a realistic result look like — and what can this procedure not achieve?
What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?

Frequently asked questions

Will the port show under my skin?

You will usually be able to feel a small, firm lump and may see a slight bump where the port sits, but there is nothing on the outside between treatments. Many people find it discreet under clothing.

Does it hurt when the port is used?

A special needle is pushed through the skin into the port, which can sting briefly. Numbing cream applied beforehand makes this much more comfortable — just ask for it.

Can I shower and swim with a port?

Once the wounds have fully healed, you can usually shower and swim when the port is not being accessed, because everything is under the skin. Follow your team's advice on timing.

How long can a port stay in?

A port can stay for many months or years if it is working well and looked after, which suits long courses of treatment. It is removed once it is no longer needed.

Why do I have to wait about a week before it is used?

The pocket is left to settle so swelling goes down and the port is easier and more comfortable to access. In some situations it can be used sooner — your team will advise.

How is the port removed?

Removal is a minor procedure, usually under local anaesthetic, with a small cut over the port to take it out. The wound heals over with a dressing for a short time.

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How we made this page

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →

Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.

Sources & standards: NHS (Guy's and St Thomas') — Port-a-Cath insertion NHS (UCLH) — Port-a-cath insertion (interventional radiology) NHS (Royal United Hospitals Bath) — Implantable port insertion in radiology NHS (Imperial College Healthcare) — Port-a-Cath discharge information BSIR — What is interventional radiology? Central venous port complications review — PMC Port-a-Cath complication series — PubMed

Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.

Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.