Portacath removal is a short outpatient procedure that typically takes about 15 minutes. It’s done under local anesthesia, usually in a surgical suite or interventional radiology room, and most people go home the same day. If you’re scheduled to have your port removed, here’s what the process looks like from preparation through recovery.
Why Ports Get Removed
The most common reason is simply that you no longer need it. Once chemotherapy or long-term IV treatment is finished, the port has served its purpose and can come out. Other reasons include infection (especially pocket infections around the port or bloodstream infections traced to the device), blood clots forming around the catheter, and mechanical problems like a catheter that has migrated out of position or a port that no longer flushes properly.
If infection is the concern, removal tends to happen more urgently. In cases of serious sepsis or visible infection at the port site, the device is removed promptly rather than waiting to see if antibiotics alone will resolve the problem.
How to Prepare
Your surgical team will give you specific instructions, but the standard guidance is to stop eating solid food at least 6 hours before the procedure and stop drinking clear liquids at least 2 hours before. These fasting rules apply even though the procedure is short, because sedation or anesthesia carries a small aspiration risk if your stomach isn’t empty.
If you take blood thinners, your doctor will tell you when to stop them before the procedure. This is typically several days in advance, depending on the medication. Bring a list of everything you’re currently taking to your pre-op appointment so the team can flag anything that needs adjustment.
What Happens During Removal
Most port removals are done under local anesthesia with monitored sedation. You’ll be awake but relaxed, and the area around the port will be completely numbed. You may feel pressure or tugging, but not pain.
The surgeon makes a small incision over the port site, often along or near the original scar. The tissue that has grown around the port reservoir is carefully separated, and the port body is freed. The catheter, which runs from the port into a large vein near your heart, is then gently pulled out. Once everything is removed, the incision is closed with stitches, adhesive strips (Steri-Strips), or surgical glue. The whole removal typically ranges from 8 to 30 minutes, with a median of about 15 minutes.
In rare cases, a port that has been in place for many years can become firmly attached to surrounding tissue or the vein wall, making removal more complex. One documented case of a port left in for 11 years required conversion to general anesthesia and involvement of a cardiothoracic surgeon. This is unusual, but it’s one reason doctors generally recommend removing ports within a reasonable timeframe after treatment ends rather than leaving them indefinitely.
Risks and Complications
Port removal is considered low-risk, but like any procedure it carries some possibility of complications. The overall complication rate for port-related procedures runs between 7% and 12.5%. For removal specifically, the main concerns are:
- Hematoma (bleeding under the skin): Small chest wall hematomas occur in up to 8% of cases and almost always resolve on their own without treatment.
- Infection: Port-associated infection rates range from 0.6% to 27% across studies, though this figure includes infections that develop while the port is still in use, not just post-removal wound infections.
- Air embolism: A rare but serious risk where air enters the bloodstream through the open vein. Your surgical team uses positioning and technique to prevent this.
Recovery in the First 24 Hours
After the procedure, you’ll spend a short time in recovery while the sedation wears off. You’ll need someone to drive you home. A bandage will cover the incision site, and you should leave it in place for 24 hours.
After those first 24 hours, remove the bandage and shower normally. Wash the area gently with soap and water, rinse well, and pat dry with a clean towel. You don’t need to apply a new bandage. If you have Steri-Strips or surgical glue on the incision, leave them alone. They’ll start peeling off on their own after 7 to 10 days. If they haven’t fallen off by day 10, you can gently remove them yourself.
Activity Restrictions
For the first 3 days, don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds. That’s roughly the weight of a gallon of milk. For 1 to 2 weeks after removal, avoid submerging the incision area in water, so no baths, swimming pools, or hot tubs. Showers are fine starting at the 24-hour mark.
If you play contact sports like football or soccer, you’ll need to wait 6 to 8 weeks before returning to play. This gives the deeper tissue layers time to fully heal. For most other daily activities, you can gradually return to normal within a few days as comfort allows.
Warning Signs After Removal
Some mild bruising and tenderness around the site is normal. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following:
- Bleeding or discharge from the incision
- Redness that’s getting worse rather than fading
- Increasing swelling
- Fever of 100.4°F (38.0°C) or higher
- Pain that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medication
What the Scar Looks Like Long-Term
The incision leaves a small scar on the chest that fades gradually over time. It can take up to 1 to 2 years for the scar to fully mature into its final appearance. For most people, it eventually becomes a thin, flat line that blends with the surrounding skin.
Some people, particularly those with darker skin tones, are more prone to developing keloid scars, which are thick and raised. To minimize scarring, keep the healing incision out of direct sunlight and avoid tanning beds. UV exposure during the healing phase can cause the scar to darken permanently. Despite popular advice, there’s no evidence that vitamin E oil or Bio-Oil improves scar appearance. Vitamin E may actually cause the scar to widen.