Skip to main content
CSTSetup
Create
Surgical setup · General

Port Placement

Port placement surgery involves creating a small incision below the collarbone to implant a device called a port (PowerPort or MediPort) under the skin, which connects via a catheter to a large vein in the chest, providing long-term access for intravenous medications like chemotherapy.

Official Updated Jun 15, 2025 13 instruments 2 photos
Port Placement — setup photo +1 more
Port Placement — setup photo

Surgical instruments

13 on this table — tap a photo to zoom, the name for its full card.

Study as flashcards
Straight Mayo ScissorStraight Mayo ScissorCutting & Dissecting
Metzenbaum ScissorMetzenbaum ScissorCutting & Dissecting
Senn RetractorSenn RetractorRetracting & Exposing
Army-Navy RetractorArmy-Navy RetractorRetracting & Exposing
Tonsil ClampTonsil ClampClamping & Occluding
Weitlaner RetractorWeitlaner RetractorRetracting & Exposing
Mayo-Hegar Needle HolderMayo-Hegar Needle HolderSuturing & Stapling
Ryder Needle HolderRyder Needle HolderSuturing & Stapling
Debakey ForcepsDebakey ForcepsGrasping & Holding
Adson ForcepsAdson ForcepsGrasping & Holding
Curved HemostatsCurved HemostatsClamping & Occluding
#3 Knife Handle#3 Knife HandleCutting & Dissecting
Freer Skin HookFreer Skin HookRetracting & Exposing

The case

Port placement surgery involves implanting a small device called a port (also known as a PowerPort, MediPort, or central venous access port) beneath the skin to provide long-term vascular access for patients requiring frequent intravenous treatments such as chemotherapy, antibiotics, or blood draws. The port consists of a reservoir placed under the skin near the collarbone and a catheter that extends into a large central vein, eliminating the need for repeated needle sticks. The surgeon uses ultrasound guidance to access the internal jugular or subclavian vein and advances a guidewire into the superior vena cava under fluoroscopic guidance. A small incision is made below the clavicle to create a subcutaneous pocket where the port device is secured with sutures to the underlying tissue. The catheter is then tunneled from the venous access site to the port pocket and connected to the reservoir. Fluoroscopy confirms proper catheter tip placement, and the port is tested by accessing it with a special non-coring needle to ensure proper function and blood return. The procedure is typically takes about one hour to complete. Recovery involves keeping the incision dry for 24-48 hours and avoiding heavy lifting for 1-2 weeks while the tissue heals around the port. A chest X-ray is obtained after surgery to confirm proper positioning and rule out complications such as pneumothorax. Once healed, the port can be accessed through the skin for treatments and will require periodic flushing when not in active use to maintain patency.

Spark notes

The 30-second rundown — scan this outside the room.

  1. Identify the jugular vein with a needle from the 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.

Walkthrough

What the surgeon does — and what to have in your hand before they ask.

  1. Identifying the Jugular Vein

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

  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.

  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.

  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".

  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.

  6. Skin Closure and Dressing

    Skin closure will begin, and usually, derma bond is used for the dressing.

From the field

Share your table

Add your table

Every surgeon runs it a little differently. Submissions stay private, are reviewed by our team, and accepted contributions earn a credit in the contributor list.

Only used to credit your contribution. Never shown or shared.

Drop files here, or browse multiple