I agree with Lynn's assessment...we have ports in young children all the time, even under 1 year old and don't seem to run into this problem. The port body may not have been attached to the catheter proprerly to start with. There is usually a one-way locking mechanism that clicks the catheter onto an extension coming from the port body and once this is locked in place, the catheter doesn't come off unless it breaks. Anne Marie
>>> "Lynn Hadaway" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 01/09/06 10:57 AM >>> Ports come in 2 varieties - those with the catheter pre-attached to the port body and those where the surgeon must make this attachment during insertion. The methods for attachment can differ, even within the same manufacturer's line. Many times the physicians do not take the time to appropriately learn the method of attachment for the specific brand of port being used. They often assume that all are the same and this could not be farther from the truth! This detachment may have resulted from not being properly attached during the implantation and not as a result of a faulty product. This mother should not be afraid to pick up the baby, but she should be educated that a brisk blood return is mandatory before each use of the catheter. Without that blood return, nothing should go through it until the reason for a lack of blood return has been identified. Lynn At 6:43 PM -0500 1/8/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >Hi >I am not familiar with the vita port brand of Port. I have a friend >that has a 6 mo. old recently diagnosed with retino blastoma. She >had a Vitaport place a to receive chemo . The port came apart at the >hub after one treatment. The oncologist wanted it replaced the next >day. The surgeon just reconnected the tubing and put in more >stitches to secure the port. He said it probably happened when the >mom lifted the baby. She is worried that it will happen again and >is afraid to left the baby. She scoops her up but is still worried. >I am not familiar with this brand of port Is it that fragile in >small children.? Can it happen again. Can any Peds nurse advise me? >(Ann Marie Frey or Darcy in Ohio ? Please mail me privately with >any response. I just want to reassure my friend . Having to deal >with chemo is more than enough thanks for your help in advance. >Marcia in Indy -- Lynn Hadaway, M.Ed., RNC, CRNI Lynn Hadaway Associates, Inc. 126 Main Street, PO Box 10 Milner, GA 30257 http://www.hadawayassociates.com office 770-358-7861
