Sclerotherapy for Leg Veins
Sclerotherapy was developed in the 1920s for the treatment
of spider veins (telangiectasias), small purple and red blood vessels.
Spider veins are hereditary, and while most commonly found on the thigh
or lower leg, can form virtually anywhere on the leg, from the uppermost
region of the thigh to the ankle. Occasionally, spider veins will appear
on the face. Sclerotherapy has proven to be a very popular nonsurgical
cosmetic procedure; see current American Society for Aesthetic Plastic
Surgery (ASAPS) statistics.
Technique:
The veins to be treated are marked while the patient is standing.
Larger veins are usually treated first. A sclerosing solution is injected
into the vein with a micro-needle. The solution causes the vein to turn
white (blanch), and then gradually disappear. A typical treatment lasts
from 30 minutes to an hour. Injection sclerotherapy can be an excellent
alternative to surgery, provided the patient's venous system is not affected.
- No downtime-patients can immediately resume work
and all normal activities. But the patient is advised to refrain from
vigorous activities for the first 24 hours.
- Little if any discomfort.
- A safe, time-proven procedure.
Other Considerations:
- Complete correction is not expected on the first
treatment. Only about 50 to 70% of the treated vessels will be permanently
gone. 3 to 4 treatments are generally required for optimal results.
- Patients may be asked initially to wear heavy-duty
stockings to help keep treated veins closed and reduce bruising.
- On occasion, small clots can develop at the site
of the injection.
- Color changes can occur in the skin where sclerotherapy
has been performed.
- In some cases, laser treatments may be an alternative
to sclerotherapy.
- If there is an underlying problem with the venous
system, the veins will recur.
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