AIM: The problem of varicose veins in the lower leg is a common disease and associated with long-term morbidity. It has usually been treated using high ligation with stripping and endovenous ablation surgery of the great saphenous vein. The aim of this paper is to report our own series of patients treated by ultrasound guided catheter directed foam sclerotherapy for the chemical ablation of great saphenous vein. METHODS: The study involved 108 legs with symptomatic varicose veins (C2-4) secondary to great saphenous vein insufficiency. The great saphenous vein was accessed at knee level. With the method of Tessari sclerosant foam was made (2 mL 3% polidocanol and 8 mL air) and delivered along the great saphenous vein while the catheter was withdrawn. At two and fifty two weeks after treatment the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Catheter-directed foam sclerotheraphy was successfully performed in all of the patients. Venous Clinic Severity Score was reduced significantly (P<0.05). Eighty nine percent of the GSV were completely occluded, 4% were partly occluded and 7% were recanalized. No serious side-effects occurred. CONCLUSION: Catheter-directed foam sclerotheraphy is a safe, simple and minimally invasive procedure. Patient satisfaction was good and the occlusion rate is promising after a single treatment.
AIM: The problem of varicose veins in the lower leg is a common disease and associated with long-term morbidity. It has usually been treated using high ligation with stripping and endovenous ablation surgery of the great saphenous vein. The aim of this paper is to report our own series of patients treated by ultrasound guided catheter directed foam sclerotherapy for the chemical ablation of great saphenous vein. METHODS: The study involved 108 legs with symptomatic varicose veins (C2-4) secondary to great saphenous vein insufficiency. The great saphenous vein was accessed at knee level. With the method of Tessari sclerosant foam was made (2 mL 3% polidocanol and 8 mL air) and delivered along the great saphenous vein while the catheter was withdrawn. At two and fifty two weeks after treatment the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Catheter-directed foam sclerotheraphy was successfully performed in all of the patients. Venous Clinic Severity Score was reduced significantly (P<0.05). Eighty nine percent of the GSV were completely occluded, 4% were partly occluded and 7% were recanalized. No serious side-effects occurred. CONCLUSION: Catheter-directed foam sclerotheraphy is a safe, simple and minimally invasive procedure. Patient satisfaction was good and the occlusion rate is promising after a single treatment.