Sclerotherapy remains the “gold standard” in the treatment of telangiectasia or spider veins. Spider veins are tiny veins, visible through the skin. This technique involves injecting a sclerosing agent into a small varicose vein or spider vein. The sclerosing agent irritates the wall of the abnormal vessel, causing it to collapse and seal off.
This method is used as an alternative to surgery for large varicose veins. The main surface of vein is injected with special foam under ultrasound guidance. The foam destroys the lining of the vein and a firm bandage is applied to the leg. This type of injection is suitable for treating the main surface veins as well as varicose veins. The procedure does not require an operating theatre and is usually carried out in a consulting room or treatment room. The injection causes only trivial discomfort.
Advantage |
Disadvantage |
| Stripping of the vein is avoided and there is little or no discomfort after treatment. There is less bruising than following surgery. There is no need for general an-aesthetic, incisions in the leg or an operating theatre. Re-treatment for further varicose veins is simple. The cost of treatment is much less than for surgical treatment or for either VNUS Closure or Laser treatment. | The treatment produces mild discomfort in the leg, which may last for 2 – 4 weeks. It also produces mild bruising, which may last for several months following treatment. The final outcome may take several months to evolve following treatment, and this is longer than would be taken following surgery. The long-term outcome of this procedure has not been established. |