Sclerotherapy of the lower limb veins - everything you wanted to know about the procedure

Sclerotherapy of the veins of the lower limbs is one of the ways to eliminate vascular defects on the legs. In medical practice, this procedure is known as compression phlebosclerosis. It is very popular because it is considered an effective and painless way to get rid of a varicose flaw.

Sclerotherapy - what is it?

During this procedure, special preparations are introduced into the channel of the deformed vessel, which "seals" it. This manipulation has several varieties:

1. Sclerotherapy of the veins of the lower limbs is carried out using a syringe with a thin needle. This procedure is prescribed to eliminate vascular asterisks and pathological formations, the size of which does not exceed 2 mm.
2. Echosclerotherapy, in which concomitantly with the administration of the drug, ultrasound scanning is performed. Due to this, the doctor-phlebologist can control the position of the needle. The doctor is guaranteed to inject the drug into the area where the deformed vein is located. Such sclerotherapy is an effective way to get rid of deep-seated vessels.
3. The method is foam-form, which provides for the introduction into the channel of the injured vein of the lower extremities of drugs with a finely dispersed structure. This procedure helps to eliminate even large deformed vessels.

The drug for sclerosing veins

To eliminate this pathology, phlebologists use special medicines, which can be conditionally divided into three groups:

1. Detergents are preparations based on sodium tetradecyl sulfate. They damage the internal surface of the vessels, exposing their collagen fibers of the basal membrane. As a result, there is a gluing of the veins. The drugs of this group are "cemented" in just a few seconds. The most commonly used drugs are: Trombovar, Сотрадекол, Фибро-Вейн.
2. Hyperosmotic drugs that contribute to dehydration of the endothelium. Unlike detergents, they do not immediately produce the result. The first signs of impact on the deformed vessel are visible about 5 minutes after the administration of the drug. The maximum effect is achieved only after half an hour-hour after the procedure. Most commonly used such a medicine for sclerosing the veins of the legs: Salicylate sodium, a solution of sodium chloride.
3. Corrosive drugs - they simultaneously affect the internal and external wall of the vein. The most commonly used drugs of this group are: Ethoxysclerol, Variglobin, Shotin's solution.

Sclerotherapy - indications and contraindications

This procedure has its own peculiarities. Sclerotherapy of the veins on the legs has its own indications for implementation. This therapy can be used both at the initial stage of pathology, and when the form of the disease is neglected. In the latter case, the procedure is used simultaneously with other manipulations, so that a complex effect occurs and the effect is quickly achieved. There are contraindications to this therapy.

Sclerotherapy - indications

This procedure has a considerable range of purposes. Sclerotherapy of veins has such indications:

• reticular varicosity ;
• lymphangiomas;
• hemorrhoids ;
• pronounced vasculature ;
• cosmetic defects on the skin of the legs.

Sclerotherapy - contraindications

Although this procedure is considered effective and safe, it is not shown to everyone. Sclerotherapy of veins has absolute and relative contraindications. The first group includes:

• pregnancy and lactation;
• severe forms of hepatic and renal insufficiency;
• intolerance of the drug used in gluing the veins of the lower limbs;
• thrombophlebitis and thrombosis of blood vessels;
• diabetes;
• pulmonary and heart failure;
• inflammatory processes that occur on the part of the skin where injections are needed.

Among the relative contraindications to the performance of sclerotherapy, there are such factors:

• elderly age;
• overweight;
• treatment of alcohol dependence;
• planning of pregnancy in the nearest 1-1,5 years;
• long-term use of hormonal drugs.

How is vein sclerotherapy carried out?

Before performing this procedure, the phlebologist conducts a diagnostic examination of the patient. This allows the specialist to identify the stage of varicose pathology and determine the most optimal method of eliminating the problem. The preparatory stage is not complicated. The patient follows 2 days before the procedure to adhere to such restrictions:

1. Refuse alcohol-containing drinks and smoking.
2. Do not do cosmetic procedures that can lead to skin trauma (for example, it's about depilation).
3. Stop taking medications that dilute blood.

Sclerotherapy of the lower extremities provides a certain number of injections (there may be from 3 to 20 for one procedure). The interval between individual sessions should be a week. Sclerotherapy of the veins of the lower limbs lasts about half an hour. It is conducted in several stages:

1. The patient lies on the couch. During the execution of such a procedure it is desirable that the legs are located slightly higher than the body. This will create an outflow of blood from the lower extremities and will allow the sclerosant to be introduced into the vessel to act more efficiently.
2. In a place predetermined by the phlebologist, a thin needle of the syringe is injected intravenously. In this case, the doctor tightly presses the site with the fingers 4 cm above and below the injection and injects 1 ml of the drug.
3. The needle is withdrawn, and a sterile cloth is applied to the place where the injection was made.
4. So gradually do all the planned procedures for the procedure.
5. The patient lies still for 10 minutes, while making active movements in the knee and ankle joints. This is necessary in order to reduce the pressure in the venous vessels.
6. Phlebologist imposes an elastic bandage on the lower limbs and gives recommendations to the patient for the recovery period.

Sclerotherapy - is it painful?

During the procedure, the patient may feel a burning sensation and a slight discomfort. In most cases, painful sensations do not arise. Sclerotherapy on the legs is performed with a very thin needle (the same is used in insulin syringes). The puncture does not cause pain. And the heel that appeared after manipulation does not create discomfort. During the next 3-6 months, it resolves.

Sclerotherapy of veins on the legs - complications

This reaction is very rare. Even if the sclerotherapy of the veins of the lower extremities was performed by an experienced specialist, he can not give a one hundred percent guarantee that complications will not arise. More often such serious consequences are observed:

• thrombophlebitis develops;
• there is a burn of internal tissues located next to the vessels that have been subjected to "spike";
• Because of the contact of injected drugs with blood, thrombi form.

Sclerotherapy of veins - consequences

After the procedure, there may be minor complications. They are the response of the body to the intervention, so when they arise, do not panic. In addition, such consequences are temporary. After sclerotherapy of the vein on the legs, the following phenomena can be observed:

1. After 1-2 hours after injections, severe itching occurs in the areas of puncture of the skin. In some cases, this discomfort lasts several days, and then passes.
2. At the injection site, the skin begins to peel off. This reaction is observed only in one of a hundred patients. Peeling occurs approximately 2 weeks after sclerosing the veins.
3. Skin is painted in a darker shade in the area where the treatment was performed. More often after a couple of months everything goes by itself.
4. There is an allergic reaction. To cope with it, prescribe the reception of antihistamines. The next time sclerotherapy of the deformed veins of the lower extremities is performed with the help of another drug.
5. Because of incorrect bandaging, the legs swell. This problem is solved by compression stockings.

Sclerotherapy or laser therapy - which is better?

Both the first and the second method have their advantages and disadvantages. Sclerotherapy of vascular asterisks is more often in demand. This method is considered more as a cosmetology procedure. Laser therapy copes with more serious problems. The final decision in choosing an effective method of fighting varicose disease is more reasonable to entrust to a phlebologist.