Foam sclerotherapy for the treatment of varicose veins

Vascular. 2007 Sep-Oct;15(5):269-72. doi: 10.2310/6670.2007.00066.

Abstract

Treatment of venous insufficiency with liquid sclerotherapy is considered by some to be an unfulfilled promise. It was heralded in the first half of the last century to be a replacement for surgery, but as recurrences of varicose veins appeared in limbs treated with injection techniques, surgery reappeared and was dominant in the last half of the century. Just as saphenous stripping was proved to be superior to proximal ligation, both were replaced by use of electromagnetic energy, such as radiofrequency and laser venous ablation, as a means of taking the saphenous veins out of the circulation. Now reports of recurrent varices in 20 to 50% of operated cases are making some physicians look to alternatives in treating varicose veins. Foam sclerotherapy must be looked upon as an entirely new method of treatment. It is useful in all types of varices and is proven to be safe, simple, cheap, reliable, and repeatable.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Sclerosing Solutions / administration & dosage*
  • Sclerosing Solutions / adverse effects
  • Sclerosing Solutions / therapeutic use
  • Sclerotherapy / adverse effects
  • Sclerotherapy / methods*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Varicose Ulcer / therapy
  • Varicose Veins / therapy*

Substances

  • Sclerosing Solutions