Immediate and Midterm Complications of Sclerotherapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND Growing interest in sclerotherapy has emphasized the need for complete knowledge of all aspects of this method. OBJECTIVE To precisely delineate the actual incidence of immediate and delayed untoward events of daily sclerotherapy. METHODS A multicenter prospective registry was established in 22 phlebology clinics to report their activity and complications. RESULTS During the study period, 12,173 sessions of sclerotherapy were carried out, 5,434 with liquid, 6,395 with foam, and 344 using both. Four thousand eighty-eight (33.9%) sessions were carried out with ultrasound guidance. Forty-nine incidents or accidents (0.4%) occurred, of which 12 were with liquid and 37 with foam. These were reported during the time of the study and an additional 1-month follow-up. Most numerous were 20 cases of visual disturbances (in 19 cases, foam or air block was used); all resolved shortly, without any after-effects. A femoral vein thrombosis was the only severe adverse event in this study. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that sclerotherapy is a safe technique.