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Your doctor has requested that we implant a device for venous access
(PICC, Hickman, and Port). There are a variety of these devices
available that have different clinical applications related to the
type of therapy your doctor proposes to provide you with. We have
left the selection of the most appropriate venous access device
to the discretion of your doctor.
If you have any questions or concerns about the type of device that
has been selected for implantation please do not hesitate to discuss
this with your doctor before attending your appointment for the
device implantation.
The venous access devices we implant are inserted under x-ray or
ultrasound guidance to enter into a vein in your arm, upper chest,
or neck dependent upon the device selected. The procedure is performed
using a sterile preparation and the injection of local anesthetic.
At the completion of the procedure a sterile dressing is applied
to protect the skin insertion site.
Complications of Venous Access Device Insertion Include:
- Local bleeding at the insertion site - This is extremely uncommon
and we attempt to ensure there is no evidence of bleeding at the
site before you leave the procedure room.
- Infection of the insertion site or the venous access device
- This is very uncommon and usually happens well after device
insertion. This can occur in two to six percent of patients during
the duration of the device implantation. If you notice any signs
or symptoms of infection (fever, chills, shaking, redness at site,
pus draining at site, or swollen lymph nodes) contact your doctor
immediately and have him/her assess the situation.
- Blood clot formation related to the device - The device is
a foreign body and may incite the formation of blood clots inside
the veins. This occurs in two to five percent of patients during
the duration of device implantation. Signs and symptoms of blood
clots are a very swollen arm with distended veins on the surface
of the arm, tender arm with difficulty bending the arm due to
discomfort and swelling.
- Pneumothorax (collapse of the lung) - This can occur when devices
are implanted in the neck and upper chest area. This is very uncommon
due to the use of ultrasound and x-ray guidance during implantation.
It can occur in 0.5 - 1% of patients at the time of device insertion
in the upper chest and base of neck.
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