Portacaths

Portacaths are small devices used for long-term IV therapies, like chemotherapy. They consist of an IV catheter attached to a small port, which is placed under the skin, usually on the upper chest wall. Dr. Castillo places portacaths with local anesthetic and light anesthesia in an outpatient surgical setting. When the portacath is no longer needed, it can easily be removed in the office under local anesthetic.