A Prospective Study on Efficacy of Foam Sclerotherapy in the Management of Varicose Vein

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Varicose vein is a common problem. It affects 10%–20% of the population in the Western world, but in India, its incidence is around 5%. There are 150,000 new cases diagnosed each year, with an estimated cost of half a billion dollars annually for their care. There is no single treatment that fits all. Foam sclerotherapy (FST) is one of the proven modalities of treatment for varicose veins. It has the advantage of being minimally invasive, office procedure, cheap, and faster return to work. However, its efficacy and outcomes vary in various studies. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of FST in the management of varicose veins. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study, which was conducted between August 1, 2016, and February 28, 2018, at a multispecialty armed forces hospital. In this, the clinical profile of patients with varicose veins and the effectiveness of FST as a treatment modality was studied in 36 patients. All patients underwent FST with polidocanol (ASKLEROL), 3%, 60 mg/2 mL, under strict asepsis and ultrasound (USG) guidance and they were followed up for 1 year. Results: FST revealed high patient satisfaction quotient (87%), improved quality of life, and primary success in 93% of patients on Doppler USG (DUS), less postprocedural analgesia requirement, and faster return to work. Conclusion: USG-guided FST is a safe, fast, and effective modality of treatment for varicose veins and seems to be more beneficial especially for smaller, recurrent, and remnant varicosities.