Forum Discussion

Nay64's avatar
Nay64
Member
4 years ago

Port coming through skin

I had my power port inserted into my chest three weeks ago and had my first chemo five days ago. 
Since then, it’s been a little pinchy. I just put that down to healing and settling but last night we noticed that the top of my port which has a little titanium poppit thingy is pushing through my skin and is at the point of coming through, not through my original incision, but completely separate part of my skin. 
Has anyone else had this happen and what was the outcome? 
I have called my nurse and am waiting on a call back. 

5 Replies

  • Ausmum2's avatar
    Ausmum2
    Member
    4 years ago
    @Nay64 that’s awesome that it’s all taken care of for you! Yay!
  • Nay64's avatar
    Nay64
    Member
    4 years ago
    Little surgery done. @Ausmum2
    It was a stitch that’s attaching my port to my chest wall and it was too long. The surgeon pulled it through my skin, cut off about 3/4mm and glued it up. She said hopefully that was enough that it will just stay under the skin now. She said it has never happened to her before and couldn’t have been more apologetic about it. 

  • Ausmum2's avatar
    Ausmum2
    Member
    4 years ago
    @Nay64 that’s great that you can check in with them in less than 48 hours. Have everything crossed for you. Let me know how you go. 
  • Nay64's avatar
    Nay64
    Member
    4 years ago
    Thanks @Ausmum2. 
    I have a clinic appointment with my surgeon on Thursday. They seem to think, from photos, that it’s the stitch holding the port onto my muscle coming up and out so we’ll see if it might be a little incision, cut and glue. Have also mentioned that my slimness isn’t helping either. 
     I will let you know what happens. 
     X
  • Ausmum2's avatar
    Ausmum2
    Member
    4 years ago
    Hello there @Nay64
    I'm so sorry you are having this problem.
    Whilst mine hasn't come through (I have a power port also) and it's been in coming up 12 months" mine is "very obvious" and I have "skin errosion" over the port and the team keep a very close eye on it. in my case you can clearly see the 'whole port sitting on my chest muscle", the three guiding nodules sit well up and the access mesh is totally clear.
    The port has remained unsettled and problematic during it's tenure - not unbearable but i always "know it's there"/ I'm also completely careful about not wearing anything on that side, not bumping it, not wearing necklaces etc to help "nurse it along" as per surgeon and teams instructions. I've also had it dressed/padded on and off to help protect it.
    The team also told me it's because I am "very lean" and to put a few kilo's on if possible to help get some fat over it and between it and my skin (and they did this with a smile in their voice and they acknowledge it's  not working out for me - wish that one was - but no matter how much I eat I haven't got even close to the 5kg they recommended - I've got about 2.5kg - yes I know "lucky me" hmmmm). 
    Anyway - get it checked as you are - and let me know how you go! I'll be interested