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Suggest Treatment For Discomfort At The Site Of Incision Post Port Installation
Question: I had a powerport put in my chest on Thursday. its very painful. how do i know if its a blood clot? i feel a little grain of rice in my neck vein above the incisions. is this normal? i have relapsed hodgkins lymphoma. 2 years ago i had a port in my arm and had blood clots so i am extra worried.
Brief Answer:
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
I understand that you recently had a power port inserted. I took a look at the photo that you sent and in considering the symptoms that you described it sounds like you have pain which may be out of proportion to what we might expect after having a port placed.
Typically port placement will cause mild to moderate pain at the site of the incision. this will usually get better over several days after the procedure.
The small grain of rice that you described may actually be the catheter from the port in your vein and not necessarily a blood clot.
I would suggest that you contact your oncologist and schedule an appointment with one of his nurses to have the port assessed. She can make sure that the port is flushing correctly. Also they can perform a local examination of the skin and port insertion site. If there's any suggestion or concern regarding a blood clot they can send you right away for an ultrasound. This is particularly important in light of your prior history of blood clot in the past.
Most likely you're having post procedure pain from the port and I feel a blood clot is less likely. At the same time we should be cautious and have this evaluated comprehensively as soon as possible.
Again please schedule an appointment to follow upwith your oncologist and or his nursing staff for an assessment. if the pain becomes more severe or you start to notice significant swelling of your upper extremity then I would recommend you report to your local emergency department for you valuation.
Thank you again for sending your question.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
Considerations
Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.
I understand that you recently had a power port inserted. I took a look at the photo that you sent and in considering the symptoms that you described it sounds like you have pain which may be out of proportion to what we might expect after having a port placed.
Typically port placement will cause mild to moderate pain at the site of the incision. this will usually get better over several days after the procedure.
The small grain of rice that you described may actually be the catheter from the port in your vein and not necessarily a blood clot.
I would suggest that you contact your oncologist and schedule an appointment with one of his nurses to have the port assessed. She can make sure that the port is flushing correctly. Also they can perform a local examination of the skin and port insertion site. If there's any suggestion or concern regarding a blood clot they can send you right away for an ultrasound. This is particularly important in light of your prior history of blood clot in the past.
Most likely you're having post procedure pain from the port and I feel a blood clot is less likely. At the same time we should be cautious and have this evaluated comprehensively as soon as possible.
Again please schedule an appointment to follow upwith your oncologist and or his nursing staff for an assessment. if the pain becomes more severe or you start to notice significant swelling of your upper extremity then I would recommend you report to your local emergency department for you valuation.
Thank you again for sending your question.
Sincerely,
Dr. Galamaga
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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