As we mentioned in chemotherapy given, a mediport is a means of giving chemotherapy.
As opposed to an intravenous catheter, which is placed and then removed after it is done, a mediport is called a central access device.
It is surgically placed underneath the skin and is designed for long-term use. Because it is under the skin and no part of it is sticking out from the skin, the risk of an infection is very low.
The part you can feel is called the reservoir and the surface of this part (called the septum) is where a needle is inserted.
The reservoir is attached via tubing that sits in one of the large veins of your arm, neck , or chest.
In addition to chemotherapy, it can be used to infuse intravenous fluids, nutrition, antibiotics, and any other medication that must be given directly into the bloodstream.
The indications for a mediport are essentially centered on the person receiving chemotherapy: the duration of treatment, the state of her own veins in the arms (which will determine if they can be accessed), and patient’s own requests, all fall into the decision on whether or not a port should be placed.