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Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to eliminate varicose veins and spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a solution (generally a salt solution) directly into the vein. The solution irritates the lining of the blood vessel, causing it to swell and stick together, and the blood to clot. Over time, the vessel turns into scar tissue that fades from view. Sclerotherapy is a well-proven procedure and has been in use since the 1930s.
How Will I Know if I am a Candidate for Sclerotherapy?Prior to the procedure, you will have an initial consultation with a dermatologist or vascular medicine specialist who will advise you on your eligibility for sclerotherapy. You are not eligible if you are pregnant or are bedridden. You can have sclerotherapy if you take birth control pills. If you have had a blood clot in the past, your eligibility will be decided on an individual basis, and will depend on the overall health of the area needing treatment as well as the reason for the clot. Veins that are potentially usable for future surgical bypass procedures (i.e. use of the saphenous vein, a large vein in the leg used for coronary artery bypass graft surgery) will generally not be considered for sclerotherapy, unless they are already deemed unusable. How Is Sclerotherapy Done?In most cases, the salt solution is injected through a very fine needle directly into the vein. At this point, you may experience mild discomfort and cramping for one to two minutes, especially when larger veins are injected. The procedure itself takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes. You should plan to wear shorts during the injection. The number of veins injected in one session varies, and depends on the size and location of the veins, as well as the general medical condition of the patient. Sclerotherapy is performed in the doctor's office by a dermatologist or a surgeon and requires that you do not partake in any aerobic activity for a few days after the procedure What You Need To Do Before the ProcedurePrior to vein injection, you should avoid certain medications. Talk to your doctor about all medicines (including over the counter drugs, herbs and dietary supplements) you are taking. If you need to take an antibiotic before sclerotherapy, contact your physician. No lotion should be applied to the legs before the procedure (tape will not stick). Some physicians recommend avoiding aspirin, ibuprofen (i.e. Advil, Motrin and Nuprin) or other anti-inflammatory medications for 48-72 hours before sclerotherapy. Tylenol, however, should not affect this procedure. Could Sclerotherapy Cause Any Side Effects?You may experience certain side effects after sclerotherapy. There are milder effects, such as itching, which can last for one or two days after the procedure. Also, you may experience raised, red areas at the injection site. These should disappear within a few days. Bruising may also occur around the injection side and can last several days or weeks. Other side effects include:- Larger veins that have been injected may become lumpy and hard and may require several months to dissolve and fade.
- Brown lines or spots may appear at the vein site. In most cases, they disappear within three to six months.
- Neovascularization the development of new, tiny blood vessels may occur at the site of sclerotherapy treatment. These tiny veins can appear days or weeks after the procedure, but should fade within three to twelve months without further treatment.
Other side effects include: continued...Should any of the following side effects occur, contact your physician immediately. These include: - Inflammation within five inches of the groin
- A sudden onset of a swollen leg
- Formation of small ulcers at the injection site.
Allergic reactions to the sclerosing agents may occur at the time of the injection and are rarely serious. If you have a history of allergies, you have a greater chance of experiencing an allergic reaction to the agents. A minor allergic reaction will cause itching and swelling. To avoid any serious complications, your doctor will likely test the agents on a small area before applying the solutions to a larger area. If you have any concerns or questions following this procedure, you should contact your doctor. What Happens After the Treatment?After the treatment you will be able to drive yourself home and resume your regular daily activities. Walking is encouraged. You will be instructed to wear support hosiery to "compress" the treated vessels. If you have compression hosiery from previous treatments, you are encouraged to bring them with you to be certain they still have adequate compression. Department store support stockings will not be adequate if a heavy compression stocking is needed. Your doctor's office can recommend where to purchase heavy compression stockings. Following the injections, avoid aspirin, ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medications for at least 48 hours. Tylenol may be used if needed. Also, you should avoid applying the following to the injected areas for 48 hours after treatment: - Hot baths
- Hot compresses
- Whirlpools or saunas
- Direct exposure to sunlight
Showers are permitted, but the water should be cooler than usual. The injection sites may be washed with a mild soap and tepid water. How Effective Is Sclerotherapy?Studies have shown that as many as 50%-80% of injected veins may be eliminated with each session of sclerotherapy. Less than 10% of the people who have sclerotherapy do not respond to the injections at all. In these instances, different solutions can be tried. Although this procedure works for most patients, there are no guarantees for success. In general, spider veins respond 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 at the same rate as before. If needed, you may return for injections. Will My Insurance Cover Sclerotherapy?Insurance coverage varies. If your varicose veins are causing medical problems such as pain or chronic swelling, your insurance may offer reimbursement. If you are pursuing sclerotherapy for cosmetic purposes only, your insurance carrier most likely will not provide coverage. You should discuss your concerns with your doctor. If you have questions, please call your insurance company. Your insurance company may request a letter from your physician concerning the nature of your treatment and medical necessity. Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic, Department of Dermatology.
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