BACKGROUND: Growing interest in sclerotherapy has emphasized the need for complete knowledge of all aspects of this method. OBJECTIVE: To precisely delineate the actual incidence of immediate and delayed untoward events of daily sclerotherapy. METHODS: A multicenter prospective registry was established in 22 phlebology clinics to report their activity and complications. RESULTS: During the study period, 12,173 sessions of sclerotherapy were carried out, 5,434 with liquid, 6,395 with foam, and 344 using both. Four thousand eighty-eight (33.9%) sessions were carried out with ultrasound guidance. Forty-nine incidents or accidents (0.4%) occurred, of which 12 were with liquid and 37 with foam. These were reported during the time of the study and an additional 1-month follow-up. Most numerous were 20 cases of visual disturbances (in 19 cases, foam or air block was used); all resolved shortly, without any after-effects. A femoral vein thrombosis was the only severe adverse event in this study. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that sclerotherapy is a safe technique.
BACKGROUND: Growing interest in sclerotherapy has emphasized the need for complete knowledge of all aspects of this method. OBJECTIVE: To precisely delineate the actual incidence of immediate and delayed untoward events of daily sclerotherapy. METHODS: A multicenter prospective registry was established in 22 phlebology clinics to report their activity and complications. RESULTS: During the study period, 12,173 sessions of sclerotherapy were carried out, 5,434 with liquid, 6,395 with foam, and 344 using both. Four thousand eighty-eight (33.9%) sessions were carried out with ultrasound guidance. Forty-nine incidents or accidents (0.4%) occurred, of which 12 were with liquid and 37 with foam. These were reported during the time of the study and an additional 1-month follow-up. Most numerous were 20 cases of visual disturbances (in 19 cases, foam or air block was used); all resolved shortly, without any after-effects. A femoral vein thrombosis was the only severe adverse event in this study. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that sclerotherapy is a safe technique.
Authors: E Rabe; F X Breu; I Flessenkämper; H Gerlach; S Guggenbichler; B Kahle; R Murena; S Reich-Schupke; T Schwarz; M Stücker; E Valesky; S Werth; F Pannier Journal: Hautarzt Date: 2021-01 Impact factor: 0.751