An observational study to evaluate efficacy and safety of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy for treatment varicose veins

Abstract

Background: There are various minimally invasive techniques for varicose veins. Tessari has invented simple method to create sclerosant foam that has become popular nowadays as treatment for varicose veins. Aim was to describe the efficacy and safety of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy for treating varicose veins. Methods: The observational study was carried out in 50 patients between July 2020 to June 2021. Sclerosant foam was made by Tessari method using polidocanol was introduced under ultrasound guidance in to affected veins. After 3 days looked for any residual varicosities and complications. All patients were followed up at 3 days, 1 month, 3 month and 6 months after treatment. Results: 37 patients were treated with 3.0% of polidocanol. Rest 13 patients (26.0%) were treated with 1.0% of polidocanol. Six (12.0%) and eight patients (16.0%) received three and four sessions of sclerotherapy respectively. After 1 month, 41 patients (82.0%) achieved complete occlusion, in 5 patients (10%) partial occlusion was seen. After 3 months, 47 patients (94%) achieved complete occlusion without any symptom and three patients (6.0%) had partial occlusion. At the end of 6 months 48 patients (96.0%) achieved complete occlusion without any symptoms. Four patients (8.0%) developed SVT blurred vision in 3 patients (6.0%) and pain with redness at injection site was observed in one patient (2.0%). Conclusions: Ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy is safe and effective in obliterating varicosities of lower limb including perforators using polidocanol sclerosant agent with less complication, low recurrences and good cosmetic outcome.