Combined Coil Embolization and Foam Sclerotherapy for the Management of Varicose Veins

Abstract

We propose a novel technique for endovenous treatment of varicose veins (VVs) using combined coil embolization and foam sclerotherapy of the great saphenous vein (GSV). A retrospective case-series analysis on patients undergoing fluoroscopically guided coil embolization of the GSV and foam sclerotherapy of the GSV and below-knee varices at a single Canadian center. Twenty-two patients underwent the procedure on 23 legs. Most patients (78.3%) presented for follow-up 57.2±21.9days postoperatively. Doppler studies demonstrated complete GSV occlusion in all patients. While 3 patients (13.6%) noted skin discoloration overlying the treated VVs, none complained of pain on follow-up or developed leg numbness, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary emboli. Coil embolization and foam sclerotherapy are a novel and effective treatment for VVs that uses existing and readily available angiographic equipment.