Picc line or port

Hello,

I have had both for different treatments. I would recommend the Port every time. In my clinic, everyone has a port automatically for chemo. It saves using arm veins which can become hard to find as treatment progresses and some people have pain in arms as a result. A picc needs regular flushing but a Port is there ready to use. Just occassionally you may feel a small pinch if you bend in the wrong position. I was given local anesthetic patches to put over the port area an hour before chemo was started.  They obviously worked well for me because I never felt anything. The actual administer of the chemo was painless.

Once the Port is removed there is a tiny scar. Mine is about 2 cm long and along the area of the collar bone. Over time it fades. I know it's there but I usually wear necklaces and no one has ever commented or asked what it is so I would think it blends into skin creases and doesn't notice.

The biggest advantage is that you don't  get arm cording which really can be ugly. 

The picc. ( I had after another operation) was far more painful. It was inconvenient in the shower, got caught in clothes etc. Once the small op to insert the port is healed, you don't even remember it. Mine was kept in for months after treatment finished. I had forgotten it needed removing by then. Mine was inserted with a quick 10 minute general anesthetic op but removed with a local.

I hope that information helps with your decision making. 

That really does, thank you so much.