Varicose Vein Removal

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Feb 25 2009

Useful information about Sclerotherapy Treatment?

Sclerotherapy is a non-surgical procedure for the reduction of varicose veins and spider veins in the legs. The procedure involvesa chemical solution being inserted into the veins in order to eliminate them from view.

The therapy is quick, and usually requires less than one hour to finish. After the therapyhas been completed, patients are advised to wear support stockings for a period of time in order to compress the treated veins. Patients are generally able to return to their ordinary activities immediately.

Both men and women can receive sclerotherapy treatment.

How Does Sclerotherapy Treatment Work?

Sclerotherapy is normally performed in a physician’s office. A 23% sodium chloride solution is inserted directly into the affected veins with a very fine syringe, causing very little pain to the patient. sometimes, a mild local anestheticsuch as lidocaine may be added to the solution. The sodium chloride solution irritates the inner walls of the veins, causing them to swell and stick together. The blood flowing through the varicose or spider veins is diverted to normal veins; the affected veins are eventually replaced by scar tissue, which becomes nearly invisible over a period of time.

How Well Does Sclerotherapy Treatment Work?

Most patients respond well to sclerotherapy, with 50%-80% of their varicose or spider veins being reduced or eliminated after just one session. It normally takes 3-6 weeks for the solution to show an effect, with larger veins taking up to four months to fade. For many patients, between two and four sessions are enough to attain the desired outcome; patients with milder cases may only need one or two sessions. Once varicose veins have been eliminated, they do not return, although new varicose or spider veins may occur in other parts of the leg.

In a few cases (less than 10%), varicose veins are unaffected by the procedure, and an alternate form of treatment (such as laser therapy) must be attempted.

What are the Side Effects?

The side effects of sclerotherapy are nominal, and generally include mild soreness or cramping. With larger varicose veins, a hard, lumpy area may appear which fades over several months. Redness may also occur around the injection sites, which normally heals in a few days. Brown lines or spots in the area are also not unusual and clear up quickly.

More serious side effects are rare, but if you develop any of the followingoffice. A 23% sodium chloride solution is inserted directly into the affected veins with a very fine syringe, causing very little pain to the patient. sometimes, a mild local anesthetic such as lidocaine may be added to the solution. The sodium chloride solution irritates the inner walls of the veins, causing them to swell and stick together. The blood flowing through the varicose or spider veins is diverted to normal veins; the affected veins are eventually replaced by scar tissue, which becomes nearly invisible over a period of time.

How Well Does Sclerotherapy Treatment Work?

Most patients respond well to sclerotherapy, with 50%-80% of their varicose or spider veins being reduced or eliminated after just one session. It normally takes 3-6 weeks for the solution to show an effect, with larger veins taking up to four months to fade. For many patients, between two and four sessions are enough to attain the desired outcome; patients with milder cases may only need one or two sessions. Once varicose veins have been eliminated, they do not return, although new varicose or spider veins may occur in other parts of the leg.

In a few cases (less than 10%), varicose veins are unaffected by the procedure, and an alternate form of treatment (such as laser therapy) must be attempted.

What are the Side Effects?

The side effects of sclerotherapy are nominal, and generally include mild soreness or cramping. With larger varicose veins, a hard, lumpy area may appear which fades over several months. Redness may also occur around the injection sites, which normally heals in a few days. Brown lines or spots in the area are also not unusual and clear up quickly.

More serious side effects are rare, but if you develop any of the following symptoms, you should call your physician immediately:

1. Sudden inflammation of the leg;

2. Swelling or red streaking near the groin area

3. Ulcers which appear in the vicinity of the injection site.