Significance Of Using Peritoneal Ports During Certain Treatments

Peritoneal ports are described as small chambers or reservoirs which are surgically implanted below the skin. These ports help in removal of excess fluid from or delivery of anti-cancer drugs to the peritoneal or abdominal cavity over a specified period of time. The port features a silicone rubber top as well as a catheter. While the rubber top could be easily penetrated using a needle, the design of the catheter allows it to hang down in the abdominal cavity after the port has been positioned inside our body. The port is inserted during minimally invasive procedures performed during treatments like:
  • Intraperitoneal therapy: During this treatment anti-cancer drugs are transported to the peritoneal cavity using a catheter attached to a port.
  • Serial paracentesis: The excess fluid present in our abdomen is repetitively withdrawn using a catheter that is connected to the peritoneal port.
Generally, peritoneal ports are utilized for treatment of ovarian cancer and intractable ascites (a condition wherein excess fluid continues to build up inside the peritoneal or abdominal cavity). Ascites might be caused by kidney failure, heart failure, cancer, cirrhosis (chronic liver disease), and pancreatic disease or tuberculosis.

There are several benefits of using this technique. Since the process is minimally invasive, small incisions are needed. Moreover, these ports have a considerably lesser rate of infection as compared to other access devices. Besides this, a patient is also saved from the stress and discomfort of frequent needle insertions. Apart from these, the procedure is extremely useful for the patients requiring an extensive treatment like chemotherapy.


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