Sounds like this was not a pre-attached port but one the doctor assembles.
Hope you sent the port into the manufacturer for confirmation of what happened
kathy
________________________________
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Nicastro, Margaret
Sent: Mon 1/9/2006 8:58 PM
To: Lynn Hadaway; [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: Peds issue
About a year ago we had a 23 yr old who had her port for about 4 years. She
was sent to us from the Oncologists office with c/o pain and burning with her
chemo infusion. She stated that this was occuring for the past few weeks
whenever they gave her chemo. Also no blood return. We were getting ready
to send her for a NM study to see what was wrong but when we accessed the port
and tried to flush it she had severe pain. We immediately had a CXR done and
found that the catheter had seperated from the port body and migrated down into
the RA and was migrating toward the R Ventricle. Needless to say she was
monitored closely that night and the next day had a cardiac cath to remove the
catheter. I had the catheter saved and it appeared that the catheter had just
slipped off the port body. We were thankful the patient did not suffer any
ill effects. I always teach new nurses to listen to the patient regarding pain
and burning and not to use the port without a blood !
return. Always identify the reason there is no blood return.
Margaret M Nicastro, CRNI, OCN
Coorordinator IV Therapy/Oncology
Gettysburg Hospital
147 Gettys Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: 717-337-4312
Fax: 717-337-4485
________________________________
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Lynn Hadaway
Sent: Mon 1/9/2006 10:57 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Peds issue
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
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