Caring for Yourself after the Removal of Your Implanted Port or Broviac® Catheter for Pediatric Patients

This information explains how to care for yourself after your implanted port or Broviac^® catheter is removed. For the rest of this resource, our use of the word “you” and “your” refers to you or your child.

Managing Your Pain

• When you wake up after your removal procedure, the area where you had your port or catheter will be numb. This is because your doctor used a local anesthetic (medication to make an area numb).
• The anesthetic will wear off after a few hours. If you’re in pain, take pain medication as recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Call your healthcare provider if you still have pain after taking the medication.

About Your Incision

• You will have a bandage over your incision (surgical cut) site.
• You will have sutures (stitches) under your skin that dissolve and don’t need to be removed.
• You may see a clear string coming out of your incision. This is the end of the sutures. Your nurse may cut it off at your next appointment.
• You will also have Steri Strips^™ (thin strips of paper tape) or glue (Dermabond^®) over your incision site under the bandage.
• Your incisions will heal after 6 to 8 weeks.

Caring for your incision site

• Don’t shower for 48 hours (2 days) after your procedure. Keep the bandage over your incision clean and dry.
• After 48 hours, you can remove the bandage and shower. Wash your incision site gently with soap and water. Rinse your skin well and pat it dry with a soft towel.
• After your shower, you can leave your incision uncovered. You don’t need to put another bandage on.
• Don’t take a bath or go in a pool for 2 weeks after your procedure.
• The Steri Strips will start to loosen and fall off in 7 to 10 days. If they haven’t fallen off after 10 days, you can remove them.

Activities

• You can go back to your regular diet after your procedure.
• Don’t lift anything heavier than 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) for 2 weeks.
• Don’t play any contact sports (such as football or soccer) for 6 to 8 weeks.
• If you need a note for school or work, let us know.

Call Your Healthcare Provider if You Have:

• Any signs of infection around your incision site after the first few days such as:
  • Redness
  • Tenderness
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Any discharge from your incision
• A temperature of 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher
• Pain that doesn’t get better with medication