Effectiveness and Safety of Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy for Recurrent Varicose Veins:Immediate Results

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in treating recurrent varicose veins. Methods: Between July 2003 and January 2005, 38 outpatients (25 women; median age 59 years, interquartile range 53.5–66.0) with recurrent varicose veins in 45 legs were treated. Ultrasound was used to identify sites of reflux. The Tessari method was used to produce foam using 3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate; up to 6 mL of foam was injected per session under ultrasound control. Results are shown as median (interquartile range). Results: A single sclerotherapy session was adequate in 26 (58%) legs. In 87% of all legs, complete elimination of both varicose veins and all reflux points was achieved. A positive association between the amount of injected foam and CEAP class (r=0.45, p=0.002) and venous clinical severity score (r=0.37, p=0.012) was found. There was a trend for more sclerotherapy sessions [median 2 (1–2)] in legs with incomplete saphenofemoral junction/great saphenous vein (GSV) ligation or accessory GSV (n=16) to achieve varicose vein ablation versus legs with other primary sites of reflux [median 1 (1–2), p=0.12]. There were no instances of deep vein thrombosis or systemic complications; superficial thrombophlebitis occurred in 6 (8.2%) of the 73 injection sessions. Legs with proximal reflux due to previous incomplete ligation or fed by an incompetent pelvic vein experienced superficial thrombophlebitis more frequently (4/12, 33%) than legs without proximal reflux [1/33 (3%); OR 16, 95% CI 1.6–164, p=0.014]. Conclusion: In most patients, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is a safe treatment for recurrent varicose veins, with an excellent immediate result. However, the presence of proximal reflux may decrease the immediate results and predispose to superficial thrombophlebitis.