ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins

Last reviewed 01/2018

The aim of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins is to damage the endothelial surface of the vein causing scarring and leading to blockage of the treated varicose veins

• sclerosant, in the form of a foam, is intended to have good surface area contact with the vein walls
  
  
• the procedure may be carried out with local anaesthesia
  • sclerosant foam is injected into the affected veins using ultrasound guidance
    • the foam causes an inflammatory reaction in the vein wall, blocking the vein
  • compression bandages are applied after the procedure and are typically worn for between a week and a month
  • more than 1 vein may be treated during the same session
    • if any vein is incompletely treated, further injections may be given in the same or subsequent sessions

NICE state that "..Current evidence on the efficacy of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins is adequate" (1)

Reference:

• 1) NICE (January 2013).Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins