Compression sclerotherapy for primary valvular insufficiency -from liquid to foam-.

The history of sclerotherapy of varicose veins of lower extremities dates back to 1840's. The use of stronger sclerosants thereafter led to serious complications, and the use of sclerotherapy decreased for varicose veins. However, sclerotherapy again became popular after introduction of safer sclerosant and compression sclerotherapy. After introduction of sclerosing foam in mid 1990's, many phlebologists are now in favor of the use of sclerosing foam instead of the use of sclerosing liquid. However, few studies have focused on the efficacy of sclerosing foam compared with that of sclerosing liquid in sclerotherapy of venous insufficiency. In Europe, the 1(st) and 2(nd) European Consensus Meetings on Foam Sclerotherapy (ECMFS) were already taken place in Germany. In this review, we discuss the efficacy of sclerosant foam in comparison with liquid form. Furthermore, solved and unsolved questions on safety aspect of foam sclerotherapy are also discussed.