Effectiveness of foam sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicose veins

Abstract

Varicose veins (VVs) are associated with lifestyle-limiting symptoms and complications. Patients who fail compression therapy are candidates for more invasive treatments. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of endovenous foam sclerotherapy (EFS) for the treatment of VVs in a US academic center. We reviewed medical records of a consecutive cohort of patients who underwent EFS over a 2-year period. The primary outcome measure was obliteration of VVs. The secondary outcome measures were symptomatic improvement, ulcer healing, recurrence, and adverse events. A total of 166 patients (217 legs) underwent EFS for pain (81%), pruritis (41%), swelling (17%), ulcerations (17%), thrombophlebitis (14%), and varix rupture (3%). Complete (65%) or near-complete (34%) obliteration was achieved in 215 (99%) legs after one injection. Additional injections achieved complete obliteration in 39 of 53 legs. Ninety-three percent (27/29) of active ulcers healed or were decreasing in size. Five ulcers and 11 VVs recurred. Common adverse events included pain and hyperpigmentation. Thrombosis, hematoma, skin necrosis, and neurologic events were rare. In conclusion, EFS appears to be a safe and effective outpatient therapy for the treatment of symptomatic and complicated VVs.

The Removal of Post-sclerotherapy Pigmentation following Sclerotherapy Alone or in Combination with Crossectomy

“…1,3 Hyperpigmentation occurs in approximately 15e20% of patients who have been subjected to sclerotherapy. 4,5 In most cases, the hyperpigmentation disappears spontaneously within several months after the procedure. 1 Unfortunately, the hyperpigmentation that appears within a short time after the sclerotherapy is permanent in approximately 10% of patients.…”

Catheter-directed foam sclerotherapy, an alternative to ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose vein treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…After full text evaluation, 62 studies discussing sclerotherapy management of varicose veins were included involving 3689 patients (CDFS 789 and FS 2900). 11,16,19,20,28–84 Of these, there were 48 studies for UGFS and 15 studies for CDFS. There was only one randomized controlled trial directly comparing these two alternatives.…”

Sex Differences of the Inflammatory Mediator Level at the Time of Itch Onset in Patients with Chronic Venous Disease

“…10) Itch Assessment Prior to sclerotherapy and 1 week after theˆnal procedure, patients evaluated itching at their CVD site, and skin measurements and blood samples were taken. A 5-point scale was used to evaluate CVD-site itching, with 0 indicating no itching and 5 indicating the most intense itching possible.…”