Pain receptors, which are widely found in the body, transmit painful stimuli to the spinal cord via nerve fibers, and from there to the pain centers of the brain. This causes the sensation of pain to occur. Painkillers administered to the epidural area stop the transmission of pain via nerves at the spinal cord level. In this way, pain stimuli are not transmitted to the pain center of the brain, and the emergence of pain is prevented.
What is an Epidural Port Catheter?
The space on the upper side of the membrane covering the spinal cord, where fatty tissues and blood vessels are located, is called the epidural space. The Epidural Port Catheter method, which is widely used in both acute pain and chronic pain control, is briefly; It is the process of entering the epidural area in the spine with a special needle between the spinous processes and placing the catheter from there.
How is an Epidural Port Catheter applied?
In the application of Epidural Port Catheter, the point where the intervention will be made (back or waist) is determined according to the location of the pain. First, the patient is laid in a side position and the area where the needle and catheter will be placed is sterilized. Then, the area where the application will be made is visualized with a scopy device and the spinal protrusions are detected. The needle is inserted between the two spinal protrusions. Again, the suitability of the epidural area is checked with scopy control. The catheter is carefully passed through the needle and placed in the epidural area and the needle is removed after the procedure. The catheter left in the epidural area is advanced through a tunnel opened under the skin to the patient’s front armpit. A mini incision is made here and the port is placed. After the port system is attached to the end of the catheter under the armpit, the incision is sutured and the operation is completed.
Who can use a Port catheter?
Epidural Port Catheter is used in cancer patients, especially in cases where metastasis is determined to the spine bones or different organs. Port catheter can also be used for diagnostic purposes in pains of unknown origin. In this way, the source of the pain can be determined.
Does a port catheter cause pain?
One of the issues that patients are particularly curious about is whether there will be pain during and after the Epidural Port Catheter procedure. Since the procedure is performed under local anesthesia, the patient does not feel pain. If no complications occur after the procedure, the patient returns to their daily lives without feeling any pain.