SclerotherapyAbout The Procedure
Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to treat varicose veins and spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution (generally sodium chloride) directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and the blood to clot. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view. Sclerotherapy is a well-proven procedure and has been in use since the 1930s.
Procedure Description
In most cases, a 23 percent sodium chloride sterile solution mixed with lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and heparin is injected into a very fine needle directly into the blood vessel, using a very fine needle. A solution without lidocaine is available for people who are allergic to lidocaine. The number of veins injected in one session is variable, depending on the size and location of the veins, and the patient’s overall medical condition.
Best Candidates for Sclerotherapy
Candidates must be in good health, have no active diseases or serious, pre-existing medical conditions, and must have realistic expectations of the outcome of the surgery. Patients are not eligible for sclerotherapy if they are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are bedridden. Patients must wait at least three months after birth before they can be considered for this procedure. Patients can have sclerotherapy if they take birth control pills. If patients have had a blood clot in the past, their eligibility will be decided on an individual basis, and will depend on the extremity and the reason for the clot.
Veins that are potentially usable for future surgical bypass procedures (such as the saphenous vein for coronary artery bypass graft surgery) will generally not be considered for injection, unless they are already deemed unusable for bypass procedures.
Length of the Procedure
Sclerotherapy surgery typically takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the treatment area size.
Anesthesia
No anesthesia is required for Sclerotherapy.
Inpatient or Outpatient?
Sclerotherapy is performed in the doctor's office or on an outpatient basis.
Possible Side Effects
Sclerotherapy may result in temporary itching, hyperpigmentation, allergic reactions and minor pain at the injection site.
Recovery
Mild discomfort may occur, and a cramping sensation may be felt for 1 to 2 minutes when larger veins are injected. There will be a period of bruising which may last up to three months during which the cure may look worse than the illness. Also, if the reticular veins are injected, there may be some blood trapped in pockets of those veins and this will require one year or more to resolve. Alternatively, these veins can be punctured under local anesthesia and the blood expressed out of the vein. This speeds recovery down to a few weeks. After the treatment patients will be able to drive themselves home. Patients may resume their regular activities and are encouraged to walk. Patients are instructed to wear support hosiery or compression wraps to “compress” the treated vessels.
Duration of Results
In general, spider veins respond to treatment in 3 to 6 weeks, and larger veins respond in 3 to 4 months. If the veins respond to the treatment, they will not reappear. However, new veins may appear over time. If needed, patients may return for injections. Two or more sessions are usually required for the best results. The removal of existing veins can dramatically improve the appearance of the affected area, providing a more youthful, healthy look and an even color pattern to the skin. Veins lighten after each treatment.
Risks
Major risks associated with Sclerotherapy include inflammation within five inches of the groin; sudden onset of a swollen leg; formation of small ulcers at the injection site; red streaking, especially in the groin area; and allergic reactions to the sclerosing agent.
Cost
Expect to pay $150 to $350 per Sclerotherapy treatment.
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