The Effect of Pushing Rate on Foam Stability in the Tessari Method

Abstract

BACKGROUND The Tessari method is commonly used in sclerotherapy for producing foam, involving 2 syringes pushed back and forth 20 times with the use of a 3-way connector. Many factors affect the foam stability which is crucial for clinical efficacy. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to identify the optimal pushing rate which may impact the foam stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS Polidocanol (POL) solution (1% and 3%) was used to make sclerosant foam via the Tessari method, with a total of 20 pushes performed at different time durations: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 seconds. The foam stability was recorded using foam half-life time (FHT), and the pushing pressure to the syringe was recorded using a self-made electric device. Both FHT and the pressure among different groups were compared respectively. RESULTS The FHT was decreased as pushing duration exceeding 20 seconds in POL 1% and 15 seconds in POL 3%. Both the highest FHT and pressure point were located in the 10-second group. CONCLUSION It is recommended to complete 20 back-and-forth passages within 10 seconds to create stable foam.