Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy was developed in the 1920s for the
treatment of spider veins (telangiectasias), small purple and red
blood vessels. Spider veins are hereditary, and while most commonly
found on the thigh or lower leg, can form virtually anywhere on the
leg, from the uppermost region of the thigh to the ankle.
Occasionally, spider veins will appear on the face. Sclerotherapy has
proven to be a very popular nonsurgical cosmetic procedure; see
current American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS)
statistics.
The veins to be treated are marked while the patient
is standing. Larger veins are usually treated first. A sclerosing
solution is injected into the vein with a micro-needle. The solution
causes the vein to turn white (blanch), and then gradually disappear.
A typical treatment lasts from 30 minutes to an hour. Injection
sclerotherapy can be an excellent alternative to surgery, provided the
patient’s venous system is not affected.
- No downtime—patients can
immediately resume work and all normal activities. But the patient
is advised to refrain from vigorous activities for the first 24
hours.
- Little if any discomfort.
- A safe, time-proven procedure.
- Complete correction is not
expected on the first treatment. Only about 50 to 70% of the treated
vessels will be permanently gone. 3 to 4 treatments are generally
required for optimal results.
- Patients may be asked initially
to wear heavy-duty stockings to help keep treated veins closed and
reduce bruising.
- On occasion, small clots can
develop at the site of the injection.
- Color changes can occur in the
skin where sclerotherapy has been performed.
- In some cases, laser treatments
may be an alternative to sclerotherapy.
- If there is an underlying problem
with the venous system, the veins will recur.
