Treatment of severe chronic venous insufficiency with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy: A two-year series in a single center in Brazil

Abstract

Objectives To portray the initial experience at a public health center of the Federal District of Brazil in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy in patients in advanced stages of the disease. Method Eighty-seven reports of patients in C5 and C6 stages, according to CEAP classification, were evaluated for clinical improvements, ulcer-healing rates, and complications of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. McNemar test was used for statistical analysis with the level of significance set at 5% ( P-value, 0.05). Results The results showed high rates of ulcer healing (85%) and significant improvement of symptoms after treatment, such as pain, heaviness, fatigue, burning, paresthesia, and itching ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions An outpatient, low-cost and high-resolution technique, without the need for hospitalization and use of the operating room showed to be a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of varicose disease associated with severe chronic venous insufficiency.