Ealing Vascular Unit

V

Ealing Vascular Unit

Josef Pflug Laboratory

EalingHospital

Uxbridge Road

Southall

UB1 3HW

Tel: 020 8967 5628

Fax: 020 8967 5650

Varicose veins

Foam Sclerotherapy treatment

Mr George Geroulakos

Consultant Vascular Surgeon

Dr Mustapha Azzam

Accredited Vascular Scientist

BeforeTreatmentAfter Treatment

WHAT is foam sclerotherapy?

It is a relatively painless outpatient procedure used in the treatment of varicose veins. It involves an injection of a foam solution directly into the vein and causes its walls to stick together. Over time the collapsed vein scars and permanently seals up. The procedure itself takes about 30-40 minutes, after which you will be wearing a compression stocking for a total duration of three weeks. Keeping the stocking on is paramount in keeping the vein wall together and reducing the likelihood of side effects. You may need more than one session to treat all your veins.

HOW SUCCESSFUL IS SCLEROTHERAPY?

It is estimated that as many as 80 to 90% of injected veins may be eliminated. However, approximately 10% of people do not respond to the injections at all and they will be offered an alternative treatment.

What are the SIDE EFFECTS OF SCLEROTHERAPY?

Most of the side effects are temporary, and may include the following:

The injected veins may become lumpy and hard for several months before visible improvement.

Raised red areas may appear at the injection sites and should disappear within few days.

Moderate pain and bruising at the site of injection, the veins may be tender to touch.

Temporary pigmentationmay appear along the injected veins, which usually clears within 3-6 months. It can remain permanent in about 5% of the treated patients.

Foam may occasionally leakinto the skin, producing an inflammation around the vein.

Allergic reactions may occur at the time of injection, but arerarely serious.

A sore could develop at the injection site, but this is rare.

Sudden onset of a swollen leg is a rare complication occurring in less than 1% of patients. This might be a sign of a blood clot in your deep veins. If this happens, you should seek help at an Emergency Department.

Injection inside the artery is extremely rare, since the procedure is monitored using ultrasound imaging.

Very rarely, blushes of tiny skin veins can appear over the areas that have been injected and have no health consequences.

Should any problem arise, please go to your nearest Emergency Department.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE THE PROCEDURE?

Please let us know if:

• You are due to have surgery for another illness or as a result of an accident;

• You are planning to travel after the procedure;

• You have allergies; and/or

• You or a member of your family has a history of blood clot in the veins (Deep Vein Thrombosis).

Please do not forget to bring your compression stocking with you on the day of the procedure.

If at any time you decide not to go ahead with the procedure, we will be happy to offer you an alternative treatment for you varicose veins.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO AFTER THE PROCEDURE?

To check on your progress, it is important to walk unaided for 15-20 minutes before leaving the hospital.

In the first hour or two following the procedure, walking is recommended to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis

We will not advise you to drive your car the day of the procedure.

Do not take hot baths or use a sauna [for three weeks after the procedure.Showers are permitted with the treated leg covered with waterproof material.

You will be instructed to wear your support stocking for a period of three weeks (the first 2 weeks day and night and the 3rd week during the day only)

You will be able to resume your routine activities straight after the procedure and you are encouragedto walk daily for as much as you can.

Avoid direct exposure to the sunlight or performing high impact aerobics for the duration of three weeks after the procedure.

You will be seen again by a vein specialist doctor at a follow up appointment three weeks after your procedure. At that time, please bring the ultrasoundrequest form with you. A scan will be performed first to check the outcome of the procedure, and then the results will be discussed with you by a doctor.

You can remove your stocking and shower a night before your return for your follow up appointment.

Wash your treatment stocking with warm water at 25-30º, dry them on a line and keep them in a safe place as you may still need them if further injections are required.