What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy is a very popular medical treatment that is generally used to correct and eliminate spider veins and varicose veins. It is a simple injection that requires no surgery and has very little pain associated with it. It is also known to help fix blood vessels, blood malformations, venous malformations, hemorrhoids and lymphatic malformations. Generally people think that Sclerotherapy is a cosmetic procedure to treat spider veins, however this is not the case.

When injected into a large spider vein, the Sclerotherapy solution causes a scar to form inside the vessel, which forces the vein to close off and for the blood to be redirected to healthier veins. In a few weeks the varicose or spider veins should simply shrink and fade away. Sclerotherapy has been known to help ease some of the physical symptoms associated with severe varicose veins such as aching, cramping, swelling and burning.

The Sclerotherapy treatment has been around for over 100 years. The popularity has been up and down during this period as techniques have evolved.  Generally the principles of Sclerotherapy varicose vein treatments have been the same, however in the past decade there have been great advancements. The development of Micro-Sclerotherapy, Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy, and Foam Sclerotherapy have all aided to the overall effectiveness in the treatment as a varicose vein and spider vein.

 

The Different Types of Sclerotherapy

There are different ways of doing sclerotherapy with each one having advantages over the other.

Micro-Sclerotherapy – This type of Sclerotherapy makes use of an improved solution. This is combined with injection techniques that are better and the result is a more effective method of removing varicose veins. The needle used in Micro-sclerotherapy is very thin and small. For it to be used properly, it has to be done under the aid of a large magnifying light. Generally patients should be prepared to expect to receive one injection for every inch of vein, and anywhere from 5 to 40 injections per Micro-Sclerotherapy session. This procedure is known to have very little pain associated with it. Generally most people feel is a needle prick and generally a burning sensation. This treatment is very good for the treatment of veins in the legs that are too small for other types of treatments.

Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy— this sclerotherapy treatment is aided by the use of ultrasound technology. Once the solution is injected into the affected vein, the physician uses ultrasound to locate and monitor the veins that cannot be seen by the human eye. Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy can find veins that were hidden and make it easier to visualize deeper veins. This is good for the patient as it is able to reduce the need for vein surgery. The use of ultrasound machines will add to the accuracy and precision of Sclerotherapy varicose vein removal. Ultrasound-guided Sclerotherapy makes treating a wide network of spider veins or varicose veins a lot more reliable and safer.

Foam Sclerotherapy—typically when the Sclerotherapy procedure is done, it is usually done with a liquid Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate solution. However there have been technological advancements that have resulted in the created of a sclerosant drug that is more of foam state. The basis behind foam sclerotherapy is that the medication is often suspended in micro-bubbles before it is injected. The benefit of doing it this way is that the surface area is increased due to the foam. This means it is able to more effectively get to the affected areas of the veins. Foam Sclerotherapy is also good because it does not interact with the blood in the vessels. Generally blood can dilute a regular Sclerotherapy solution and reduce its effectiveness.

What is The Sclerotherapy Treatment?

Sclerotherapy is a treatment that requires the patient be injected with a solution (called sclerosant) that is usually made up of a salt solution, sodium chloride, sotradecol and a detergent. Often the patient won’t experience any pain, maybe just the feeling of a pin prick.

This solution is directly injected into the vessels, spider veins and varicose veins. The solution will begin to damage the lining of the veins. In doing this along with applying pressure, this will cause the walls of the vein to stick together. The solution contained in the veins will no irritate the lining of the vessels and this will result in them swelling and eventually the blood to clot. During the coming weeks the vessel will turn into scar tissue and the vein will begin to slowly disappear.

For each vein an injection may be required, from separate weeks apart. A number of veins can be injected all in one treatment period. Patients who have the sclerotherapy treatment done may experience slight cramping which will go away after a few minutes. The treatment usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Sclerotherapy Warnings & Side Effects

Generally an individual can consult with a vascular medicine specialist or a dermatologist who can advise them if they are a good candidate for the treatment. If a patient is pregnant or has had blood clot in the past then they would be scrutinized much harder to find out if this treatment is right for them. Veins that are unusable for further surgeries such as the saphenous vein a large vein in the leg used for other surgeries would not be used for sclerotheraphy.

It should be noted that before having the procedure done certain medications should be avoided. One such is Tetracycline, which is an antibiotic that can result in staining the skin if taken 10 days before or after the treatment.

Various side effects may occur after having the sclerotherapy treatment done. These can be larger veins become lumpy and hard after injection and this could take some time before it disappears. There is also the chance that spots can appear at the treated area and take a longer period to vanish. The treatment can also cause tiny veins to become visible. These are known as flares and they can occur weeks after treatment. These veins however usually fade 3-12 months after the treatment. Allergic reactions are another possible side effect that can happen.

It should be noted that even though sclerotherapy is highly effective, there is the possibility that it might not work all the time. Generally the treated veins respond in 6 weeks and the bigger ones in 4 weeks.

Generally sclerotheraphy is considered to be a cosmetic procedure and as a result of this, it might not be covered by insurance. This is not always the case, especially if the varicose veins cause medical problems such as pain and swelling. If using sclerotheraphy only for cosmetic reason then there is a high possibility that the insurance company will not cover it.

for cosmetic puposes only, the insurance carrier may not provide coverage. The concerns should be consulted with a doctor. The insurance company may require a letter from the dotor

Cost of Sclerotherapy

The cost of sclerotherphy is generally dependent on the number of treatments that are needed. Generally the price is based on where exactly you want treated, this can greatly increase or decrease the cost of treatment.

For more information on the cost of sclerotherapy, please visit the information section on it.