Central Line Port ?

[chirurgeon]

Will my Chemo port set off the metal detectors in the airport. I have a card that I have one, I was just wondering.

Kim

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to the Transportation Security Administration webpage about implantable devices.
If it's a Hickman or central line catheter, those don't have metal, so it should not set off the alarm.
If it's a port-a-cath, those are plastic and metal, so it could set off the scanner. I'm not sure if it would, but it is likely to.
Having a card that says what device you have should prevent any problems. The TSA recommends (but doesn't require) that you inform them of any implantable devices. Letting them know before you go thru the scanner is what I would do if I had one.

 

[skoopman]

My daughter has a Broviac (external lumen) and the first time she went through the metal detector I forgot about it until she was though. No problem. The second time she was hooked up to a pump so they had to do a hand exam. I am guessing you will be fine, especially with a note, but make sure you have plently of time. The hand inspection seemed to take quite a while.
Suzanne

 

[jennydep]

Thank you so much for asking this question! My daughter has a port-a-cath and this had not even entered my mind. I guess I'll call her clinic on Monday and have them send a note stating she has one. She has Down syndrome and hates alarms. Is there anything I can do to help with this? Is there anyway around it?

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you so much for asking this question! My daughter has a port-a-cath and this had not even entered my mind. I guess I'll call her clinic on Monday and have them send a note stating she has one. She has Down syndrome and hates alarms. Is there anything I can do to help with this? Is there anyway around it?

In most of the security lines, you need to go thru the scanner in order to get thru the the "secure" area of the airline. There isn't a way to go thru without going thru the scanner.
The wheelchair line has a space to bypass the scanner most of the time (since all the metal in the wheelchair will set off the scanner for sure.)

 

[skoopman]

When we went through security last time I told them she would set off the alarm. She was connected to an IV pump, but I didn't tell the first people that, they didn't care why she would set off the alarm. They has her go through a seaparate panel to get to the secure section, waited for me while I went through the normal metal detector and then went over to her, and then they did the hand exam. I had my DH take my DS and the carry on's other than my purse so I only had to focus on DD which helped.

I would hope if you explain the situation (she will set off alarm which will scare her because of Down's), they will not make her go through the main one and will be willing to just do a hand inspection. You are asking for a "medical reason" and not just because you want to. However I have certainly traveled enough to know things often aren't done the easy way, or the smart way for that matter.

Good luck and have a wonderful trip,
Suzanne

 

[#1_Donald_Duck_Fan]

I've been fine everytime I've gone thru. I have a meta-port (for Cystic Fibrosis) and it hasn't ever set the machine off . . . yet

see ya
Mike

 

[jennydep]

Thanks for your responses.

We are flying out at 6:00 AM on Saturday so it should not be very busy. I think I'll take a chance and ask if she can go through the hand inspect line. I certainly don't want to start the trip off with her being frightened if I can help it.

 

[dclfun]

I also have a port-a-cath and it's never set off the detectors. Some must be more sensitive than others or the type of port might be different also. Either way, I don't like the hand-exam either which I've had since being in my chair. I don't think my own physician ever did as thorough of a "breast exam" as I had from one airline employee! ----kathy

 

[SueOKW]

I had that hand exam myself - I think it was caused by my underwire bra - OR because they were bored. There was hardly anyone in the airport! In any case, if I hadn't been floating on air because it was my first trip to London, I probably would have been horrified!!!

Taking our wheeled kid through security is an amazing exercise.... I'm just glad my other kids are finally getting old enough to not get lost while we work it all out with Kevin. If we all actually sat down and thought about what we go through just to get to MCO.............

 

[skoopman]

Jenny,
I glaced at your website and saw that Mickey has leukemia, therefore you are familiar with neutropenic precations. I just remembered when we took DD through security she wasn't neutropenic (although we have LOTS of experience with that as well) but she is immunocompromised due to a BMT so she was wearing a face mask. I would recommend getting one from the hospital or dr's office before you go. It might have helped at security because they saw a "sick kid" since she was in a mask and didn't question my request for a hand inspection due to medical reasons.
Suzanne

 

[SueM in MN]

I also have a port-a-cath and it's never set off the detectors. Some must be more sensitive than others or the type of port might be different also. Either way, I don't like the hand-exam either which I've had since being in my chair. I don't think my own physician ever did as thorough of a "breast exam" as I had from one airline employee! ----kathy

I think you are right about the type of metal (plus probably exactly how much metal) is in a particular type of port-a-cath. I know some have titanium for the metal parts, some might have different types of metal. it could be that one type is more easily detected by the scanner. I know there are also double lumen port-a-caths (it's like 2 attached together). Those probably would be more likely to set off the scanner.