Surgery remains the traditional technique for treating varicose veins and requires a general anaesthetic.
EVLT involves the introduction of a thin tube (catheter) into the main superficial vein on the inside of the thigh through a small skin incision over the inside of the knee.
Sclerotherapy involves the use of a sclerosant and has been used for many years to treat small varicose veins.
This is an alternative minimally-invasive technique using a similar principle to laser treatment.
This involves injecting a small amount of a sclerosant into the inside of the thread veins using a very fine needle. Alternatively a very fine needle is introduced over the vein which transmits a local heating effect making the vein disappear instantly in most cases.
Sclerotherapy involves the use of a sclerosant (a substance which seals up blood vessels when injected) and has been used for many years to treat small varicose veins. Over recent years a technique has been developed which allows sclerotherapy to be used to treat larger varicose veins (up to 1cm in diameter). This involves mixing the sclerosant with air bubbles to create a foam.
This procedure is performed in the outpatient clinic. Local anaesthesia is used to numb the skin and using ultrasound scanning, a small amount of foam is injected into the vein being treated while the leg is elevated. Following the procedure a bandage and stocking are sited on the leg which need to remain in place for around 1 week. The stocking should be worn for a further week after the bandage is removed. Some patients will require a second injection for residual veins after a period of 4-6 weeks. Most patients
are able to return to their normal routine within 24 hours.
Foam sclerotherapy is successful in most patients. The recurrence rate is higher in comparison to open surgery. This means that some patients will require further injection 3-5 years post treatment.
