Vein Clinic

Unwanted blood vessels can vary from small dilated capillaries causing redness of ones face or nose, to telangiectatic vessels and spider veins causing red or blue streaks on face, legs, and body, to ulcer-causing large trunks of ropy-appearing varicose veins on one's legs.

While the smaller vessels on the face are treated largely with BBL and vascular Nd:YAG laser procedures, medium to large sized vessels, reticular and spider veins are often treated with injection sclerotherapy.

Sclerotherapy involves injection of a sclerosing substance into a varicose vein or other dilated vessel, to make it disappear.

During our Vein Clinics we treat mostly leg spider veins, reticular veins, and varicose veins.

 Sclerotherapy of Varicose Veins and Spider Veins

What is Sclerotherapy of Varicose Veins and Spider Veins?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment used to treat varicose and spider veins. The procedure involves the injection of a solution directly into the affected veins, causing them to shrink and eventually disappear. Newer variation on the technique is to create a foam using a sclerosant solution and either CO2 gas or air, and to inject this foam. Foam Sclerotherapy is more effective and uses less sclerosant solution.

What are some common uses of the procedure?

Sclerotherapy is used to improve the cosmetic appearance of spider veins and to relieve some of the symptoms associated with spider veins, including aching, burning, swelling and night cramps. It is the primary treatment for small varicose veins in the legs.

How should I prepare for sclerotherapy?

Please report to us following information:

·         all medications that you are taking, including herbal supplements,

·         allergies.

·         recent illnesses or other medical conditions

We may also advise you to stop taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or blood thinners for a specified period of time before your procedure.

You may be asked to stop taking iron supplements.

No lotion should be applied to legs before or after sclerotherapy.

You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam. You may be given a gown to wear during the procedure.

You may want to bring a pair of shorts to wear during the procedure.

Please bring your compression stockings to the procedure as you will need to wear them immediately after the procedure.

How does the procedure work?

The procedure uses a very fine, thin needle to inject a sterile sclerosing solution into the small veins. When the sclerosing solution is injected directly into the spider or varicose veins, it irritates the lining of vein, which causes it to swell and to stick together. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view.

How is the procedure performed?

Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.

Using a very fine needle, the doctor will inject the vein-sclerosing solution into the varicose and spider veins. As the procedure continues, you will feel small needle sticks and possibly a mild burning sensation. The number of veins treated in one session varies, and depends on the size and location of the veins.

The procedure is usually completed within 45 minutes.

Immediately after your sclerotherapy session, we advise you to walk for at least 30 minutes, wearing your compression hosiery, in order to flush the blood that may be pooling in your leg veins. This will increase the chances of successful outcome of your procedure.

What will I experience during and after the procedure?

You may experience a cramping sensation for one to two minutes when larger varicose veins are injected.

After the treatment you will be instructed to wear support hosiery or compression wraps to "compress" the treated vessels.

You may experience certain side effects after sclerotherapy. Larger injected varicose veins may become lumpy and/or hard for several months before resolving. Raised red areas may appear at the injection sites and should disappear within a few days. Brown lines or spots on the skin may be seen at the injection sites. In most cases, they disappear within three to six months, but can be permanent about five percent of the time. Bruising may occur around the injection site and can last several days or weeks.

In general, spider veins respond to sclerotherapy in three to six weeks, and larger veins respond in three to four months. If the veins respond to the treatment, they will not reappear. However, new veins may appear over time. If needed, you may return for injections.

Are follow-up visits needed?

We like to see you for a follow-up visit 2 weeks following sclerotherapy. At that time we examine your veins for superficial clots that may need to be drained for best cosmetic results.  This visit also gives you a chance to discuss any side effects or concerns you may have following your procedure.

What are the benefits vs. risks?

Benefits

• Each sclerotherapy session typically results in elimination of 50 to 80 percent of the injected veins.

Risks

• Any procedure where the skin is penetrated carries a risk of infection. The chance of infection requiring antibiotic treatment appears to be less than one in 1,000.
• Risks include the formation of blood clots in the veins, severe inflammation, adverse allergic reactions to the sclerosing solution and skin injury that could leave a small but permanent scar.

What are the limitations of Sclerotherapy?

Large varicose veins do not respond as well as small ones to sclerotherapy. A few (less than 10 percent) of people who have sclerotherapy do not respond to the injections at all. In these instances, different solutions or a different method, such as laser therapy, may be attempted.

You will not be able to undergo sclerotherapy treatment if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are bedridden. You must wait at least three months after giving birth before you can be considered for this procedure.