Implantable port placement is a medical procedure designed to provide long-term venous access for patients requiring frequent intravenous treatments, such as chemotherapy, antibiotics, or nutritional support. The procedure typically begins with the patient lying on their back on an operating room table. After administering local anesthesia to minimize discomfort, a small incision—generally about 2 to 3 centimeters long—is made near the chest or upper arm. Using ultrasound or fluoroscopy for guidance, a surgeon or interventional radiologist identifies a suitable vein, usually the subclavian vein, internal jugular vein, or another large central vein. A thin, flexible catheter is then inserted into the vein through a separate, smaller incision made in the skin.

Once the catheter is adequately positioned, its other end—fitted with a small, port device made of metal or plastic with a self-sealing silicone septum—is tunneled under the skin and connected. The port is typically placed in a pre-formed subcutaneous pocket created by the surgeon near the initial incision site. After confirming the correct placement of the catheter and the port system via imaging, the incisions are closed with stitches, and sterile dressings are placed over the wounds. The entire procedure usually takes about 1 to 2 hours. Postoperative care involves instructions for keeping the site clean and monitoring for signs of infection or complications, with follow-up appointments to ensure proper function and condition of the implantable port.