Performance of endovenous foam sclerotherapy in the USA

Abstract

Purpose To assess practice patterns of endovenous foam sclerotherapy (EFS) use in the USA. Methods A multidisciplinary panel of US experts was convened and developed a questionnaire to assess use of EFS. US attendees at the American College of Phlebology 2009 Annual Congress were asked to complete the questionnaire. Results Of 776 questionnaires distributed, 239 were completed (31%). The majority of respondents (87%) reported using EFS for the treatment of venous disorders. Foam sclerotherapy was used by a wide variety of specialists in every region of the USA. The most common indication was sclerosis of recurrent truncal or tributary veins of the leg. There was variation among practitioners in the indications for use, pre- and postprocedural evaluation and procedure methodology. Conclusions The results of this questionnaire show widespread usage of EFS and are important in the development of national quality improvement guidelines for the performance of EFS.