Placing a Jugular Port Without Direct Percutaneous Jugular Vein Access

Abstract

A traditional subcutaneous port requires creation of a subcutaneous reservoir for the port and a separate small incision at the point of venous access, most commonly the internal jugular vein. The catheter of the port is tunneled from the port reservoir to the venous access incision and placed centrally through a peel-away sheath. Placing a subcutaneous jugular port without direct percutaneous jugular vein access is a skill that can be employed by the interventional radiologist and is described in this chapter. Considerations for site selection, accessing venous circulation, and appropriate placement of the port reservoir are described. This method of implanting a subcutaneous chest port has a high rate of technical success and low rate of complications.