Here are a few opinions on a port versus Hickman. Everyone seems in agreement that both are better than a PICC (and I agree too).

It’s a big decision which Line to put in her chest, for a number of reasons including quality of life.

When I don’t need my port, the needle comes out and my chest looks normal except a small bump. With the Hickman line, she will have tubing at all times — higher chance of infection and much much more inconvenient for living, in that she will never be able to escape them as long as they are there.

There are so many reasons why a medical decision gets made, I just want to make sure you understand the pros and cons so you can help her make an educated decision.

That’s what’s most important, is that she understands why she’s getting the Hickman line versus the port — their reasoning behind the choice, because the difference between the two lines has a huge impact on her daily life at home.

https://www.inspire.com/groups/agmd-gi-motility/discussion/hickman-catheter-vs-port/