Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy of Lower Limb Varicose Veins: Outcome and Patient Satisfaction

Elmadany, Waleed Araby Abd Elkhalek; Solyman, Mohamed Tharwat Mahmoud; Mourad, Mohammad Zaki Ali; El-Kaffas, Khaled Mohammad Helmy

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2021.176580

Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy of Lower Limb Varicose Veins: Outcome and Patient Satisfaction

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejhm.2021.176580

Abstract

Background: Varicose veins are defined as dilated, tortuous, and elongated superficial veins of the lower limbs with incompetent valves. Sclerotherapy could be a minimally invasive technique that uses an injection of a special chemical (sclerosant) into a varicosity to wreck and scar the inside lining of the vein. Resulting in blockage of the treated vein.
Objective: To explain the efficacy and safety of foam sclerotherapy within the treatment of varicose veins and to see patient’s satisfaction after ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy.
Patients and Methods: This study was conducted at Sohag University hospitals to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction following foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins. There was 60 cases with lower limb varicosities whose mean age was 33.72 years (range 20 – 52). Females represented 62% of cases, while the remaining cases were males.
Results: The cosmetic appearance showed a major improvement (p < 0.001) after our intervention. Pain sensation was significantly decreased after the intervention. Only 25% of cases reported that sensation after 1 week, of which percent decreased all the way down to 3, 3, and seven during the following visits respectively. Saphenofemoral reflux was present in 48% of cases before the intervention, and it decreased all the way down to 7, 3, 3, and seven of cases at the scheduled follow up visits respectively. Complications were reported by 28% of cases. Skin hyperpigmentation was the most common complication (22%), followed by visual disturbances (8%), and thrombophlebitis (7%).
Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy seemed to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency within the selected group of patients.

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