Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy
uses an injection of a special chemical (sclerosant) into a varicose vein to damage and scar the inside lining of the vein. This causes the vein to close.
During this procedure, the affected leg is elevated to drain blood, and the sclerosant is injected into the varicose vein. The procedure is done in a doctor's office or clinic and takes 5 to 30 minutes, depending on how many varicose veins are treated and how big they are.
Scleropathy is performed in 3 mains ways:
- Direct Vision: Where the doctor visually treat small spider veins
- Ultrasound guided: this is used in more advanced varicose vein disease
- Catheter Directed - where a catheter is used to inject the sclerosant into long sections of diseased veins.
After the injection of sclerosant is given, pressure is applied over the veins to prevent blood return when you stand up. You may need to wear compression stockings for several days or weeks to maintain the pressure.
Sclerotherapy is used to treat:
- Spider veins and small veins that are not causing more serious problems.
- Smaller varicose veins that come back after vein-stripping surgery.
- Larger varicose veins, when minimally invasive techniques are used.
Sclerotherapy may be done alone or as a follow-up to surgery.
What To Expect After Treatment
Sclerotherapy generally does not require any recovery period. You will likely be able to walk immediately after the treatment, but you should take it easy for a day or two. Bed rest is not recommended, but you may need to avoid strenuous exercise for a few days after sclerotherapy. Avoid exposing your legs to the sun for the first 2 weeks after the procedure.
Sclerotherapy should not be done if you:
- Are pregnant or nursing. It is not known whether the chemical (sclerosant) causes birth defects or gets into breast milk.
- Have a history of allergy to sclerosant or similar substances.
- Have blood clots or inflammation in the deep leg veins (deep vein thrombosis).