Power Port Placement mayo stand and back table surgery setup

A Power Port Placement surgery involves the placement of a device called a port, which allows for the easy and efficient delivery of medication, chemotherapy, or other fluids directly into the bloodstream. The procedure involves creating a pathway from a vein in the neck to a pocket under the skin, where the port will be placed. The surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia and takes about an hour to complete.

Step 1: Identifying the Jugular Vein
During a Power Port Placement surgery, the doctor will first use a needle from the power port kit to identify the jugular vein. In some cases, ultrasound may be needed, in which case a probe cover should be available.

Step 2: Ensuring Proper Placement with C-Arm
Once the vein is identified, the doctor will use the guide wire from the kit to make a path for the catheter. To ensure proper placement, a C-arm will be used, which means that you will need to wear X-ray lead during the surgery.

Step 3: Making the Incision and Forming a Pocket
Next, the doctor will use a 15 blade to make an incision below the collarbone. Then, a small pocket will be formed under the skin for the port to sit in. During this step, the following instruments may be used: bovie, metz, adsons, debakeys, and hemostats.

Step 4: Creating a Pathway for the Catheter
The long metal tunneler in the kit will be used to make a pathway from the incision to the site where the wire was placed before in the neck. The port will then be attached to the catheter and will need to be primed with a heparin flush. The catheter will be attached to the tunneler and pulled back through, so the port is now sitting in its “pocket”.

Step 5: Ensuring Correct Placement with C-Arm (Again)
The sheath in the kit will now be put over the wire, and the catheter will be fed through into the correct place. C-arm will be used again to ensure proper placement.

Step 6: Skin Closure and Dressing
Finally, skin closure will begin, and usually, derma bond is used for the dressing. Congratulations, you have successfully assisted with a Power Port Placement surgery!

The Surgery Sparknotes

1. Identify the jugular vein with a needle from the power port kit. Use ultrasound if necessary.
2. Use the guide wire to create a path for the catheter.
3. Wear X-ray lead and use the C-arm to ensure proper placement.
4. Make an incision below the collarbone and form a pocket for the port.
5. Create a pathway for the catheter using the tunneler in the kit. Attach the port to the catheter and prime with heparin flush.
6. Use the tunneler to pull the catheter back through to the port’s pocket. Ensure correct placement with C-arm again.
7. Close the skin with derma bond.