Outcome of Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy Treatment for Varicose Veins: Procedure is Standard and Need No Further Study

Abstract

Objective: To study the outcomes of the ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) treatment for superficial venous insufficiency. Materials and Methods: Selected patients with varicose veins were treated with UGFS using sodium tetradecyl sulfate as sclerosant and followed up to 1-year. Total 148 legs in 123 patients, 98 unilateral limbs, and 25 bilateral limbs were treated by this method. Results: Out of 148 legs saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) incompetence was found in 42 and sapheno-popliteal junction (SPJ) incompetence in 49, perforator's incompetence in 11, while combination of SFJ and perforators and SPJ and perforators in 16 and 7, respectively. Great saphenous vein varicosity was found in 58, short saphenous vein in 56 and others 34. Twenty-four limbs had recurrent varicose veins previously treated by other modalities, and 124 limbs had primary varicose veins. Fifty-two limbs were treated for complicated varicose veins (CEAP 4-6) and 96 limbs for uncomplicated varicose veins (CEAP 2-3). Early outcome was 100% success rate. No recurrences were noted at 1-year follow-up. Early complications were: Superficial skin necrosis in 4 legs (2.70%), pain at injection sites in 21 legs (14.18%), superficial thrombophlebitis in injected vein in 21 legs (14.18%), bruising in 18 legs (12.16%), superficial vein thrombosis in 10 legs (6.75%), and skin staining around injected veins in 13 legs (8.78%). Conclusion: UGFS is a safe, good, and effective treatment modality of treatment for patients with varicose veins and found to be associated with significantly less bruising and pain.