Hard lump remaining after port removal

stephincanada · October 2017

Hi all,

I had my port removed over a week ago and a hard lump remains, almost as if the surgeon forgot to remove some component of the port. Is it just scar tissue? Anyone else have this experience?

Thanks.

macb04 · October 2017

It could be swelling from some remaining scar tissue. Massage to the are once it is well healed can be helpful in decreasing the size and hard feeling. If you really suspect they left something inside, bug them for an xray or Ultrasound.

xxyzed · October 2017

I had mine removed two weeks ago and have a hard lump too. I just thought it was a mass of internal stitches and scar tissue

ruthbru · October 2017

Some of my 'dissolvable' stitches didn't dissolve. The area stayed puffy and sore so long that I finally went back to the doctor. My surgeon poked around and pulled out a LONG, LONG stitch (which was a big surprise to him). Not until after that did everything finally heal up. I'd give it another week or so, but if things feel the same, I'd go back in.

stephincanada · October 2017

Thanks, all, for the helpful info. I didn't feel terribly confident in the surgeon. He was very rough during the procedure. I opted for the local anaesthetic instead of twilight,so I felt his every tug, push, pull, twist, etc. (but not pain). It really does feel like there is something left behind. Will be two weeks tomorrow.

ruthbru · October 2017

A port is just one piece, so I don't think they could leave anything behind. But it could be a stitch. My surgeon was rather dismissive and only poked around because I insisted that something wasn't right. He just numbed me up and when he pulled out that long stitch, without thinking, he said, "What the hell?????" So, listen to you body, and if it doesn't feel like it's healing right, go back and get it figured out.

Wildplaces · October 2017

Port - portacath - can have a few components - whether it is scar tissue or foreign body - part of port or stich/suture - depends on the shape you are feeling and how smooth it is, how close to the surface....

Worth getting it checked out. 😊

stephincanada · October 2017

The thing that concerns me is this: my hospital trains a lot of foreign medical students. The person who removed my port had been in Canada a grand total of three weeks. The hospital staff doctor who signed the report never laid eyes on me. I don't know how he could have signed off on the procedure. That, combined with the rough treatment during the procedure and this hard lump has me a bit spooked.