Foam Sclerotherapy Treatment

What is Foam Sclerotherapy?

Foam Sclerotherapy is the newest method that has been created to deliver a sclerosing agent to treat spider and large varicose veins. This new method requires that the the medication be suspended in micro-bubbles (foam) before it is injected. The reason for the use of the foam solution is based on two distinct scenarios. Firstly the use of the foam will allow for the displacement of blood within the vein; this will allow the sclerosing agent to be in direct contact with the wall of the vein for a long period of time without there being any dilution effects. Secondly, the foam shows up well on imaging done by ultrasound and this can result in it being tracked more easily and hence guided more effectively to the source of the venous problem.

There are many benefits that can arise from the use of the foam sclerotherapy method. One of these benefits is that based on the procedure it gives patients to the chance to avoid surgery to the sapheno-femoral junction. Another benefit is the fact that using foam will improve the accuracy when done in conjunction with ultrasound imaging.

The downside to using foam sclerotherapy is There is also debate about whether it is safe to use air or whether other gases such as carbon dioxide should be used.  Whether the gas injected should be sterile is also uncertain.

In foam sclerotherapy Detergent sclerosing agents such as sodium tetradecyl sulfate and polidocanol are mixed with room air to create a foamy solution. Once this is achieved, the foam is then injected into the affected vein. From here an inflammatory reaction will occur and this will lead to the closure of the vessel and then eventual fibrosis and obliteration. This has been shown to be quite effective as the foam bubbles seem to "hang up" and attach itself onto the vein wall better than non-foamy liquid agents.

Foam sclerosant therapy has been used different types of abnormal veins that exist in the lower extremities. However it is known to work effectively on the small reticular veins that can often be seen under the skin and recurrent or residual varicose veins that do not swell on the skin surface. The foam sclerotherapy procedure works just as good as the liquid sclerosants for the obliteration of telangiectasias or spider veins.

Having the foam sclerotherapy treatment done is generally safe; however there are side effects that can occur.  For some people there is a small chance that an allergic reaction may occur from solution that is used. Other symptoms that have been reported are eye problems, coughs, and headaches, especially if you have a history of migraines. All of these symptoms are usually temporary.

Many doctors across the world highly believe that foam sclerotherapy is one of the best options for the treatment of vein disease. It has proven itself as an effective and easy way to treat problems such as recurrent varicosities and varicose veins that are resistant to regular liquid sclerotherapy treatment. Additionally the combination of foam sclerotherapy with other proven treatment methods reduces the chance of recurrent varicose veins.