Foam and liquid sclerotherapy for varicose veins

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 62-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Coleridge Smith
Keyword(s):  
Medical Literature ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Visual Disturbance ◽  
Optimum Ratio ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Foam Sclerotherapy ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Systemic Complications

Objective The objective of this study is to review the methods and outcome of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) for the treatment of superficial venous incompetence. Method Medical literature databases including Medline were searched for recent literature concerning UGFS. Papers describing methods and outcome have been assessed and their main findings included in this summary. A detailed description of the methods used by the author has been included as an example of how successful the treatment may be achieved. Results A diverse range of practice is described in published literature in this field. Each group of authors used their own variation of the methods, described in the published literature, with good results. It is clear that foam sclerotherapy is far more effective than liquid sclerotherapy and that ultrasound imaging allows the treatment to be delivered accurately to affected veins. There is evidence that 3% policocanol foam is no more effective than 1% polidocanol foam. The optimum ratio of gas to liquid is 4:1, although a range of ratios is reported in published work. There is a wide variation in the volume used as well as the method by which it is injected. The use of carbon dioxide foam reduces the systemic complications, particularly visual disturbance, when compared with air foams. Very few serious adverse events have been reported in the literature despite the widespread use of this method. Rates of recanalization of saphenous trunks following UGFS are similar to those observed after endovenous laser and endovenous radiofrequency ablation of veins, as well as the residual incompetence after surgical treatment. Conclusions UGFS is a safe and effective method of treating varicose veins. The relative advantages or disadvantages of this treatment in the longer term are yet to be published.

Sclerotherapy and foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 260-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Coleridge Smith
Keyword(s):  
Recent Literature ◽  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Visual Disturbance ◽  
Optimum Ratio ◽  
Foam Sclerotherapy ◽  
Serious Adverse Events ◽  
Systemic Complications ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Clinical Series

Objectives To review published evidence concerning treatment of varicose veins using ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) to assess the safety and efficacy of this treatment. Methods Medical literature databases including MedLine, Embase and DH-DATA were searched for recent literature concerning UGFS. Papers describing the early results and later outcome have been assessed and their main findings were included in this summary. Results Few randomized studies have been published in this field and much of the available data come from clinical series reported by individual clinicians. It is clear that foam sclerotherapy is far more effective than liquid sclerotherapy and that ultrasound imaging allows the treatment to be delivered accurately to affected veins. There is evidence that 3% polidocanol foam is no more effective than 1% polidocanol foam. The optimum ratio of gas to liquid is 4:1, although a range of ratios is reported in the published work. There is a wide variation in the volume used as well as the method by which it is injected. The use of carbon dioxide foam reduces the systemic complications, particularly visual disturbance, as compared with air foams. Very few serious adverse events have been reported in the literature despite the widespread use of this method. Rates of recanalization of saphenous trunks following UGFS are similar to those observed after endovenous laser and endovenous RF ablation of veins, as well as the residual incompetence after surgical treatment. Conclusion UGFS is a safe and effective method of treating varicose veins. The relative advantages or disadvantages of this treatment in the longer term have yet to be published.

Can foam sclerotherapy be used to safely treat bilateral varicose veins?

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
R H Bhogal ◽  
C E Moffat ◽  
P Coney ◽  
I K Nyamekye
Keyword(s):  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Visual Disturbance ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Treatment Episode ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Foam Sclerotherapy ◽  
Systemic Complications ◽  
Complete Occlusion ◽  
Vein Occlusion ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective We assessed the use of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) to treat bilateral varicose veins either as synchronous or interval procedures. We specifically assessed total foam volume usage and its influence on early outcome and complications. Methods We reviewed our prospectively compiled computerised database of patients with bilateral varicose veins who have undergone UGFS. Duplex findings, foam volumes used and clinical outcome were assessed. Results One hundred and twelve patients had undergone UGFS for bilateral varicose veins. Sixty-one had bilateral UGFS (122 legs) and 51 had interval UGFS (102 legs). Seventy-eight percent bilateral and 60% interval procedures were for single trunk disease. Median foam volumes per treatment episode were: 17.5 mls bilateral, and 10 mls interval FS. At two weeks 81% of legs had complete occlusion after bilateral UGFS compared to 70% after interval UGFS. One patient in the bilateral UGFS developed transient visual disturbance. There was no systemic complications in the interval UGFS. Conclusions Bilateral foam sclerotherapy treatment did not adversly affect vein occlusion rates and there was no significant difference in complication rates between the two groups. Bilateral UGFS can be safely performed in selected patient presenting with bilateral varicose veins.

Prospective five-year study of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in the treatment of great saphenous vein reflux

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Chapman-Smith ◽  
A Browne
Keyword(s):  
Saphenous Vein ◽  
Great Saphenous Vein ◽  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Duplex Ultrasound ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Patient Acceptance ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Foam Sclerotherapy ◽  
Clinical Recurrence ◽  
Over Time

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term efficacy, safety and rate of recurrence for varicose veins associated with great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux treated with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS). Methods A five-year prospective study was performed, recording the effect on the GSV and saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) diameters, and reflux in the superficial venous system over time. UGFS was the sole treatment modality used in all cases, and repeat UGFS was performed where indicated following serial annual ultrasound. Results No serious adverse outcomes were observed – specifically no thromboembolism, arterial injection, anaphylaxis or nerve damage. There was a 4% clinical recurrence rate after five years, with 100% patient acceptance of success. Serial annual duplex ultrasound demonstrated a significant reduction in GSV and SFJ diameters, maintained over time. There was ultrasound recurrence in 27% at 12 months, and in 64% at five years, including any incompetent trunkal or tributary reflux even 1 mm in diameter being recorded. Thirty percent had pure ultrasound recurrence, 17% new vessel reflux and 17% combined new and recurrent vessels on ultrasound. Of all, 16.5% required repeat UGFS treatment between 12 and 24 months, but less than 10% in subsequent years. The safety and clinical efficacy of UGFS for all clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathological elements classes of GSV reflux was excellent. Conclusion The popularity of this outpatient technique with patients reflects ease of treatment, lower cost, lack of downtime and elimination of venous signs and symptoms. Patients accept that UGFS can be repeated readily if required for recurrence in this common chronic condition. The subclinical ultrasound evidence of recanalization or new vein incompetence needs to be considered in this light.

What is effective care for varicose veins?

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 80-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark H Meissner
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Foam Sclerotherapy ◽  
Cyanoacrylate Glue

Varicose veins affect one-quarter to one-third of Western adult populations and consume an increasing amount of health care resources. Much of this increased utilization has been driven by the advent of minimally invasive technology including endovenous thermal ablation, foam sclerotherapy, and more recently mechanicochemical and cyanoacrylate glue ablation. This has largely been driven by patient and physician preferences in the absence of robust evidence that one therapy is truly superior to another. This partially arises from misunderstandings about appropriate outcomes measures and what truly constitutes effective treatment of varicose veins. Technical outcomes, such as saphenous closure rates, have frequently been used as surrogates for effective treatment but are poorly correlated with symptom improvement, quality of life, and risk of recurrence. Although there does appear to be a trend towards higher recurrence with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, the data are occasionally conflicting and there does not appear to be substantial differences between the various modalities. Similarly, there do not appear to be major differences in late quality of life measures between these treatment options. As long-term differences in recurrence and quality of life are small, overall cost effectiveness is driven primarily by initial treatment costs and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy is the most cost-effective strategy in many models. However, there continues to be substantial uncertainty surrounding cost estimates and other factors of importance to the patient may ultimately drive treatment decisions. The benefits of some adjuncts to the treatment of axial superficial reflux, such as the concurrent versus staged management of tributary varicosities, remain ill-defined while that of others, such as routine post-procedural ultrasound surveillance and compression, need critical re-evaluation.

Successful ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for vulval and leg varicosities secondary to ovarian vein reflux: a case study

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Paraskevas
Keyword(s):  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Duplex Ultrasound ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Ovarian Vein ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Foam Sclerotherapy ◽  
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome ◽  
Vein Reflux ◽  
Pelvic Congestion

Pelvic varicose veins secondary to ovarian vein reflux are common and can present with clinical pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). After assessment with duplex ultrasound and venography, treatment often involves surgical ovarian vein ligation and more recently embolization of the ovarian vein(s) followed by ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) of the pelvic tributaries. This paper presents one out of many PCS patients treated with UGFS of the pelvic tributaries alone, with clinically symptomatic improvement.

scholarly journals Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for chronic venous disease with ulcer. A prospective multiple outcome cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Camargo Gonçalves de Abreu ◽  
Otacílio de Camargo Jr. ◽  
Márcia Fayad Marcondes de Abreu ◽  
José Luis Braga de Aquino
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Chronic Venous Disease ◽  
Venous Disease ◽  
Leg Ulcers ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Foam Sclerotherapy

Abstract Background Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) is the main cause of chronic leg ulcers. Varicose veins are the most frequent cause of venous leg ulcers (VLU). 50.9% of Brazilian women have varicose veins and ulcer prevalence is as high as 4%. Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) is a low-cost treatment option for varicose veins. Objectives To analyze UGFS outcomes in patients with VLU. Methods Prospective consecutive single center cohort study. Patients with great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux and VLU were treated and followed-up for 180 days. The following were studied: quality of life (QoL), disease severity, healing, and elimination of GSV reflux. The Aberdeen questionnaire, a venous clinical severity score, and Duplex scanning (DS) results were analyzed. Results 22 patients aged 35 to 70 years were treated. There was improvement in quality of life, disease severity reduced, and ulcer diameter reduced (p < 0.001; ANOVA). 77.27% of VLU healed completely (95%CI: 59.76-94.78%). The dimensions of 20/22 VLU reduced (90.91%; 95%CI: 78.9-100%). GSV reflux was eliminated in 63.64% (95%CI: 43.54-83.74%). Men had greater QoL benefit and women had more complications. There were no severe complications. The VLU that had healed completely at the end of the study were smaller at baseline than those that did not completely heal. The GSV that were completely occluded at the end of the study were smaller at baseline than those that were not completely occluded (p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney). Conclusion The results suggest that most patients benefited from UGFS.

scholarly journals Study to compare open surgery, endovenous thermal ablation and ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy for treatment of varicose veins

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Sandeep Raj Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Thermal Ablation ◽  
Open Surgery ◽  
Venous Insufficiency ◽  
Varicose Veins ◽  
Venous System ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Foam Sclerotherapy ◽  
Same Day Discharge ◽  
Endovenous Thermal Ablation

Introduction and Objective: To compare open surgery, Endovenous thermal ablation(EVTA) and ultrasound(USG) guided foam sclerotherapy for primary superficial venous insufficiency(PVI) with respect to obliteration of superficial venous system at 3 months, clinical outcome and cost.Materials and Methods: Between January 2015 to January 2016, all patients with symptomatic PVI of lower limbs who were willing for definitive management were randomized to open surgery (n=20), EVTA (n=40) or ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (n=20). In foam sclerotherapy group, review USG was done at 1 week and if necessary re-injection was done. The patients in all the groups underwent review USG at 3 months. Obliteration of superficial venous system, clinical outcome and costs were registered.Results: 5 patients in foam sclerotherapy group required re-injection at 1 week. Superficial venous system was obliterated in all the patients of all the groups at 3 months. Improvement in clinical score was similar in all groups. The foam sclerotherapy group had less frequent analgesia intake, earlier return to normal activity and lower cost. Local complication rate was slightly higher in foam sclerotherapy group.Conclusion: Foam sclerotherapy is a cheaper alternative to open surgery & EVTA for PVI with respective to early measures of clinical outcome. USG guided sclerotherapy demonstrated to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. The observed complications were minimal and most of the patients reported satisfaction with the treatment outcomes. If patient have no cost issue, endovenous thermal ablation of varicose veins is better than open surgery & foam sclera in context of minimally invasive, cosmetic, less pain, no incisions, early ambulation & same day discharge.

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