A medical port is a small device placed under the skin to help deliver medicines and nutrients directly into the bloodstream for patients with serious illnesses like cancer. While these ports are usually safe, a rare problem can develop where the skin around the port starts to break down. This case report describes how doctors successfully treated this problem in a 55-year-old woman by creating a new pocket for the port nearby, allowing her to continue her treatment without interruption. The story shows that even when complications happen, creative solutions can preserve these important medical devices.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How doctors handled a rare complication where the skin around a medical port (a device used to deliver medicines) started to die and break down in a cancer patient.
  • Who participated: One 55-year-old woman who had breast cancer and received chemotherapy. The skin problem developed six months after her cancer treatment ended.
  • Key finding: Instead of removing the port completely, doctors created a new pocket next to the original one and moved the port there. This allowed the patient to keep using the port and continue her medical treatment successfully.
  • What it means for you: If you or a loved one has a medical port, this case suggests that doctors have options beyond removal if skin problems develop. However, this is a very rare complication, and most people with ports never experience this issue. Talk to your doctor about any changes in the skin around your port.

The Research Details

This is a case report, which means doctors are describing what happened with one specific patient to help other doctors learn. The patient was a 55-year-old woman who had breast cancer and received a totally implantable venous access port (TIVAP)—a small device placed under the skin that allows doctors to give medicines and nutrients directly into the bloodstream without repeated needle sticks.

Six months after finishing her chemotherapy, the patient noticed the skin around her port was becoming thin and fragile. Over the next seven months, doctors tried conservative management, which means they used gentle treatments like keeping the area clean and protected, without surgery. However, the skin eventually died and broke open, exposing the port underneath and causing pain.

When conservative treatment didn’t work, the surgical team made a bold decision: instead of removing the port entirely, they created a brand new pocket for it in the skin right next to the original location. They then moved the port’s puncture hub (the part doctors access with needles) into this new pocket. The patient recovered well and was able to continue her medical treatment without interruption.

This approach is important because it shows that doctors have options when complications develop with medical ports. Rather than removing a device that patients depend on, finding creative solutions can help patients continue their necessary medical care. This is especially valuable for cancer patients and others who need long-term access to their bloodstream for treatment.

This is a single case report, which is the lowest level of scientific evidence. It describes one patient’s experience and what worked for her, but we cannot assume the same approach will work for everyone. The doctors did document their approach carefully, which is helpful for other medical professionals. However, more cases and studies would be needed to confirm this is the best way to handle this complication in other patients.

What the Results Show

The main finding is that creating a new pocket adjacent to the original port location successfully preserved the patient’s ability to continue treatment. After the surgical procedure, the patient had no further complications and was able to complete her medical treatment course without needing to remove the port.

The doctors also noted that the skin problem likely developed because of pressure and irritation from the port in its original location. By moving it to a new pocket nearby, they relieved that pressure and gave the damaged skin area time to heal.

The case suggests that being proactive about caring for the skin around the port—such as keeping it clean, avoiding pressure, and watching for early signs of problems—may help prevent this complication from happening in the first place.

The doctors observed that the patient’s pain decreased after the procedure, and the new pocket healed well. There was no infection or other complications following the surgery. The patient was able to use the relocated port successfully for her ongoing medical needs.

Pocket skin necrosis (death of skin around the port) is described as a rare complication of medical ports. Most cases in the medical literature have been managed by removing the port entirely. This case is notable because it shows an alternative approach—relocating the port rather than removing it—which allows patients to continue their necessary treatment without interruption. This adds to the limited knowledge doctors have about managing this specific complication.

This is a single case report involving only one patient, so we cannot know if this approach will work for everyone with this problem. Different patients may have different outcomes based on their overall health, the reason they need the port, and other medical conditions. The patient’s long-term outcome beyond the completion of her treatment course is not described. Additionally, we don’t know how common this complication truly is or what factors make some patients more likely to develop it than others.

The Bottom Line

If you have a medical port, watch for any changes in the skin around it, such as thinning, redness, warmth, or pain. Report these changes to your doctor promptly. While this complication is rare, early detection may allow for better treatment options. Do not attempt to treat skin changes around your port on your own—always consult your medical team. (Confidence level: Based on one case, this is a reasonable precaution but not proven by large studies.)

This information is most relevant for cancer patients, people receiving long-term antibiotics, and those receiving nutrition through their veins who have medical ports. It’s also important for their caregivers and healthcare providers. People without medical ports do not need to be concerned about this complication.

In this case, the skin problem developed six months after treatment ended and worsened over seven months. However, this timeline may vary significantly from person to person. Some people may never develop this complication, while others might experience it at different times. Recovery after the surgical procedure happened relatively quickly, with the patient able to resume treatment.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you have a medical port, use your health app to set weekly reminders to check the skin around your port. Take a photo of the area and note any changes in appearance, redness, warmth, swelling, or tenderness. Log these observations in your app with dates so you can share them with your doctor at appointments.
  • Establish a weekly port site inspection routine: gently examine the skin around your port in good lighting, feel for any changes in texture or warmth, and note any discomfort. If you notice any changes, immediately log them in your app and contact your healthcare provider. Keep the area clean and dry as instructed by your medical team.
  • Create a monthly summary in your app of any skin changes observed around your port. Track patterns such as whether changes occur after certain activities or at certain times. Share this monthly summary with your healthcare team during regular appointments to catch any developing problems early.

This case report describes the experience of one patient and should not be considered medical advice. Medical ports are generally safe devices, and this complication is rare. If you have a medical port and notice any changes in the skin around it, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Do not attempt to diagnose or treat complications on your own. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or medical team who understands your complete medical history and current condition.