ICH to give chemo for children using implant devices

Chemo port is a small device that is implanted below the skin of the patient, usually with local anaesthesia or conscious sedation. The device, which appears on the outside like small bump on the skin, is implanted under the skin of chest or upper arm. To administer the medicine, doctors make the skin numb with a cream and puts the needle into the port. The procedure is painless and is therefore convenient while treating children.

In contrast, the usual procedure of chemotherapy involves injecting the medicine into the body using syringes. The process of chemo infusion using syringes is slower compared to chemo port procedure. In case of children who are afraid of injections, it becomes even more difficult to carry out the procedure and they could suffer from injuries while the medicine is being infused. However, since the introduction of chemo port devices, children are able to cope with the treatment easily, said doctors.

“Even with the port inside the body, the children can perform all daily activities as long as the treatment continues as they do not even see the device. Since the introduction of chemo port implantation, the parents of cancer affected children are happy that their child gets no fresh bruises every day. The procedure is quick too. The problems of finding proper veins and then administering the medicine is also resolved,” said surgical oncologist Dr Mohan Kumar, paediatric surgery department, ICH.

The hospital was receiving the funds for the chemo port devices from the support of two non-governmental organisations. Now, the hospital will provide the device on its own for the patients who need chemo administration. “The NGOs have given 20 chemo ports for the children. However, seeing the benefits of the device and its requirement, we are ready to provide it to all the children undergoing chemotherapy at the hospital,” said Dr A T Arasar Seeralar, director, ICH.