Hello All,

In November 2016 (I wasn't scheduled to be around so long, so please take heart, it does happen!), I was fitted with a portacath which was used for about 3 months and never touched since.  Recently, the hospital "discovered" the existence of this portacath and went ballistic about the fact that it had never been flushed, that there were risks of blood clots and infection.  It was decided that after this long, it was better to remove it altogether.

I would like to ask anybody who has knowledge or experience of this sort of issue if there are portacaths that can be left in untouched (a bit like a pacemaker) without consequence, or whether I run a permanent risk of something rather serious.  Also, if someone has had a portacath removed, can they explain the procedure, whether it is painful, etc.

Heartfelt thanks in advance.