how many porta caths?

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

I came across a patient who had 3 porta caths implanted.... I thought ony one was needed? Is this common to have more than one?

[merlee]

Were they all functional??

[msjellybean]

Recently deceased patient that had very advanced gastric CA had two ports placed at the same time. Not sure exactly why. But if sure was nice when she had TPN + continuous 5FU + PCA + maintenance fluids.

[mappers]

We had a pt with two. One in the chest as usual, the other in his abdomen. it was used to drain ascites from his abdomen on a twice-weekly basis. It was much easier on him than having paracentesis needles placed twice a week. We'd access his port with a huber, attach a line to a vacuum bottle, and drain of 2 -4 liters.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Huh, that's cool mappers.

[iluvivt, BSN, RN]

Were they all venous? A port can be placed in an artery (usually will see this in liver Ca)..in a body cavity.....in abdomen (usually for chemo).even in the epidural space. I am assuming they were all functional..b/c they usually take them out if they become non-functional to reduce the risk for infection

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I've seen double portacaths that are all one piece, but have two ports. I've never heard of having more than one. If someone needs a lot of IV access a central line makes more sense. I somewhat regularly see patients with more than one central line or with a central line plus a portacath.