Does anyone know what the difference is between central lines + porta caths? Are some better than others? Are some less prone to infection than others? I Have to have one fitted soon , I dont know what the criteria is for which one. Who chooses and why? Is there different sites that can be used. Any comments would be welcome.
Best wishes to everyone
Apologies I forgot to put my name regarding central line enquiries.
Coleen
Hi Coleen
If you want to give the helpline a ring the nurses there will be able to explain to you all about central lines and portacaths.
Lines open at 9am this morning the number is 0808 800 6000.
Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
Hi Coleen,
I guess much depends on your hospital but I think portacath are the best in that they are completely hidden underneath the skin and therefore less prone to infection. But not all hospitals have surgeons trained to put these in, or nursing staff trained to access them. I had one put in about 18mths ago now and it has been brilliant. It is in situ just about an inch below my left collarbone, and protrudes slightly as a ‘bump’ about half inch diameter. My only other experience is with Hickman lines but these have dangling tubes from the chest area. Mine frequently gave problems and wouldnt work. The exit site has to be kept very clean there higher risk of infection. There are also PICC lines but I have no experience with these.
Dawnhc
Hi Coleen
I have a PICC line. It is in my arm just above the elbow on my inner arm. I have had it six weeks. I am having herceptin every 3 weeks.
PICC lines, I was told, are less invasive, put in using xray. It doesn’t hurt and takes only about 20 or 30 mins.
I am only having it until April as I am having it taken out so that I can go swimming on holiday in May. They wouldn’t consider taking a Hickman out after such a short period. The Portocath I don’t think they would use for short periods eg one year of herceptin.
Hope that helps.
XX
Portacaths preventing Infection??
Hi Everyone, I’m having a portacath inserted next Monday. I assumed that because they were inserted under the skin that they were problem free. Reading some comments it seems as though that isn’t the case. Have you had a portacath inserted? How has it been? I’m scared that with it being out of sight I may not realising there is a problem. Maybe a bit of panic setting in. Any comments Welcome.
best wishes
Coleen
Hi Coleen, when my portacath was inserted last week - a BardPort (lots of info on Google) - I was told the main risks were clotting, for which they have a procedure to flush them regularly, and infection. I asked what symptoms I should be looking for, assuming local pain or swelling, and the doctor said infections usually start in the gut rather than the insertion site. Symptoms would be generally feeling unwell, 'flu-like, raised temperature, headache, as well as the obvious redness or unusual swelling or pain around the site itself. When used to give medication or to take bloods, the skin has to be swabbed very thoroughly before the needle is inserted, and Emla numbing cream can be used although only the pinprick would be felt, without the aching sensation from having a needle in the arm or hand. I hope the theory is correct - my only discomfort now is that I drove today for the first time and the seat belt lies across it, so I need some padding! Lyn xx
…just to add, the information sheet that the hospital gave me prior to my appointment mentions Infusaports and Groshong lines too, again Google has lots of info. There is a section on the Cancer Backup website about implantable ports, and the helpline here is very informative too. Good luck. Lyn
To add my tuppence worth - I had a groshong line three years ago for my chemo (I have terrible veins). It was horrible - I had a tube dangling from my chest for six months and it needed regular flushing, swabbing etc.
I now have a portacath (like Dawn’s - it is a bump under my skin high up on on my right breast). I was a little surprised at the incision they made to get it in (it’s about two and a half inches long), but the chemo this time round has been so easy that it has been well worth it.
They flush it every chemo to keep it free from clots and, when chemo is finished, and if I decide to keep it in, I think they will flush it every few months.
Deirdre
Once again you ladies are wonderful. it really is good knowing how willing you are to share your info +experiences Many thanks to you all
Coleen x
Hello Coleen,
I have a hickman line in. I have had it for 3 weeks . I haven’t had any problems with it but the tubes hanging down can be a bit of a pain. I were a vest with a loose bra section on top of my bra and that holds the line comfortably.
I flush the line with heprin every day my self which I just do as routine after I shower.
There is a bracket fixing the line to your skin but that is removed ( mine was removed today) after 3 weeks so it’s not so uncomfortable.
Sounds to me like a portacath would be a better option if you have a choice. I wasn’t given a choice and didn’t know there were other options.
I have had my portacath for the past 3.5 years with absolutely no problems at all except for once when they couldn’t get the blood out (which was about 3 months ago) and that’s the only time.
They are currently flushed every 4 weeks and then they put something in called ‘hep-sel’ which prevents clotting in the titanium ‘barrel’. I understand from a friend of mine (who is Matron of the cancer ward) that they are looking at whether portacaths need to be flushed every 4 weeks or whether they can go longer so will be interesting to see what comes of that.
The only shame with a portacath is that if you have to have the injection for a CT scan they can’t administer it via your line as it would blow the tubes! So it’s back to being stabbed however many times to try and find a vein!
Pinkdove
Pinkdove, have you had any long gaps between needing to use the portacath, and if so, how long? Is it still flushed at the onc unit every 4 weeks when it’s not in use - this isn’t something you do yourself, is it - that’s only with the external tubes on a Hickman line or similar? Flushing does need to be done at the hospital, presumably, not by a practice nurse at the GP’s surgery? I think that’s my understanding from the literature but it helps to hear from someone living with one! Thanks, Lyn x
Hi Lyn
I only go 3 weeks between each flush mainly because I have to have my bloods taken every 3rd week although a friend of mine (who is the Matron of our cancer ward) said they are currently looking at whether the length of time between flushes can be extended from 4 weekly - I think the jury is out on that at the moment as a lot of patients probably would prefer to be flushed every 4 weeks. There are set guidelines and good practice when inserting the needle (which is different from normal needles) and how the skin should be cleaned beforehand etc. Our hospital have just started to use a ‘swab’ to clean the skin rather than the usual pink fluid but the nurses prefer the old pink fluid - I wonder who will win - the clinicians or the managers!!!
Even if it’s not in use it needs to be flushed every 4 weeks and needs to be done by a person who has been trained relating to portacaths (usually the chemo nurses). There also seems to be a difference of where the portacath is sited. Mine is on my side under my arm but covered by my bra although they seem to be doing a lot on the chest in our hospital at the moment.
Hope this helps a bit!
Pinkdove
Pinkdove
Thanks Pinkdove for clarifying that. I had first Epi into the port yesterday and it was just brilliant, had Emla cream as it’s still tender and a bit bruised. The nurse said I’d feel pushing as she accessed the port but really all I felt was that she was touching my chest, the whole procedure, needles in and out, chemo and saline going in, flushing, and needles coming out, happened without me feeling a thing. I brought a small tube of Emla cream home to apply before the next time. The site was swabbed several times with pink solution sprayed onto a sterile swab that was in a little tub, and the nurse did say not to let anyone access the port without STERILE gloves on, they mustn’t use the blue gloves from the dispenser on the wall! This will be the first of many times it will be accessed this year, assuming no problems, hope they’re all as easy. Lyn xxx
HI Lyn
Really glad to hear you haven’t had any problems and, as time goes by, your skin won’t be as tender and bruised.
You’re right about the gloves and the pink solution (they should do it three times in a certain circular way) and hep sel after all the treatments.
It is so much easier isn’t it than them trying to find a vein.
Take care.
Pinkdove
x
One thing I wondered, I go in for bloods the day before the next chemo, which I imagine is usual for everyone - with the port, they have a very limited area of skin to prick each time. Does that become a problem as the months roll on? I’m hoping I can use Emla cream each time, magic stuff indeed, but what has your experience been of this repeated access on the one small area? Lyn xx
Hi
I had a Groshong Port, like to portacath described above. It was great as my veins were already difficult to access. I had chemo through it and blood taken from it, except for the MRI fluid. I would recommend it although it takes about 5 weeks to get used to having something permanently inside you and having it fitted under local anes. wasn’t great. I thought it was a very good bit a kit and well worth it.
The Emla cream didn’t really do much for me but the initial sharp prick is so minimal. It’s no problem for access in a small area there is enough space for needles and it heals over very quickly.
Pauline
Thanks Pauline, I may not need to carry on with the Emla cream long-term, more psychological help I suppose! Did you have your Groshong port inserted whilst fully conscious? I had a local with ‘conscious sedation’, IV in the hand, not general anaesthetic but I was totally unaware of anything being done at the time, and have no memory between being taken to theatre and waking in my room two hours later - I have had it for dental extractions and crowns, so knew what to expect. My BardPort has been in less than two weeks and I barely notice it, I’m really pleased with it.
Lyn x