Sclerotherapy or varicose vein sclerosis
Sclerotherapy or varicose vein sclerosis
Sclerotherapy is a method of injecting into the varicose vein, with a fine needle, a sclerosing substance, in the form of liquid or foam, causing retraction, fibrosis and hardening of the vein. This gesture makes it possible to obstruct the varicose vein and make it disappear.
Indications for sclerotherapy
Truncal varicose veins, measuring between 3 and 6 mm (small diameter) can be treated with foam echo sclerosis. The ultrasound probe makes it possible to identify the varicose veins to be treated and to puncture the vein by following the progression of the product inside it. This avoids giving injections in the wrong places.
In case of truncal varicose veins that measure more than 4 mm in diameter, thermal endovenous techniques (laser (laser link) or rf). It should be noted that the recommendations classify endovenous techniques in 1, then foam sclerosis echo in 2 and surgery in 3.
The sclerotherapy or varicose vein sclerosis session
Using a syringe and needle, a specific sclerosing product is injected into the varicose vein.
The phlebologist uses the process of echo sclerosis or echo sclerotherapy; the sclerosing product (most often in foam form) is injected under ultrasound visual control. This helps guide, monitor the position of the needle, and check throughout the echo sclerosis procedure that the product diffuses well along the entire length of the vein.
After the varicose vein sclerosis session
The wearing of stockings and compression bands is recommended. The patient can leave and return to work as soon as the varicose vein sclerosis session is over. Depending on the extent of the varicose veins, several sessions of varicose vein sclerosis may be necessary.
Aftermath of sclerotherapy
The consequences of varicose vein sclerosis can be marked by transient and benign reactions, more or less frequent such as “blue” hematomas at the injection sites, sensitive induration of the vein that may be associated with inflammation and redness on the skin, pigmentation (brown spot) and matting (capillary extension).
Other reactions are very rare for some exceptional: allergy to the sclerosing product, phlebitis, small ulcers and reversible neurological disorders such as migraine or visual blur.