Foam sclerotherapy

Phlebology. 2015 Nov;30(2 Suppl):18-23. doi: 10.1177/0268355515589536.

Abstract

Foam sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment for lower limb varicose veins. Current evidence indicates that its efficacy may not be as high as surgery or endovenous ablation. The minimally invasive nature of the treatment however means that it has a wide application, and it can be particularly useful in patients who are not suitable for other types of treatment. NICE guidelines recommend its use as a second line after endovenous ablation. Complication rates are low and most of these are of little clinical consequence.

Keywords: Foam Sclerotherapy; complications; techniques; varicose veins.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Catheter Ablation
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Endovascular Procedures
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Laser Therapy
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Saphenous Vein / surgery
  • Sclerosing Solutions / therapeutic use
  • Sclerotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Sclerotherapy / economics*
  • Sclerotherapy / methods*
  • Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate / chemistry
  • Surface-Active Agents / chemistry
  • Thrombophlebitis / etiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Varicose Veins / pathology
  • Varicose Veins / therapy*
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology

Substances

  • Sclerosing Solutions
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate